Greyhound racing has been a pillar of communities for decades and is an important part of the British sporting landscape. With 19 Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB)-licensed racecourses across England and Wales attracting over 800,000 attendees in 2022, the sport serves many working-class communities and continues to be one of the largest spectator sports in the country. Generating £1.5 billion in betting turnover, the industry provides a significant economic contribution, employing over 5,400 people and adding £166 million to the UK economy, including £52 million paid in taxes.

However, funding for greyhound welfare currently depends on voluntary contributions from only some bookmakers, which makes it inconsistent and unreliable. This is why I support the GBGB’s Keep Welfare on Track campaign, which seeks a more sustainable approach to funding greyhound welfare. A statutory levy on bookmakers’ turnover from greyhound racing would establish a consistent, secure, and significant source of income, similar to the existing levy supporting welfare in horse racing.

I am asking you to support the Keep Welfare on Track campaign to ensure that the long-term welfare of greyhounds is protected, and that greyhound racing can continue to thrive within our communities. Specifically, I ask that you:

• Write to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ask for their support on this matter and to review how a statutory levy can be established.
• Meet with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain to learn more about the campaign and how you can support.
• Support the introduction of a statutory levy on bookmakers by signing our petition and promoting this on your website and social media channels.