Wales’ parliament, the Senedd, has voted in favour of legislation that will prohibit greyhound racing, citing concerns around animal welfare.
With the decision, Wales becomes the only nation in the United Kingdom to outlaw the sport, which is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026.
In an official statement, the Senedd said: “The Bill reflects a clear policy choice: that the injuries, fatalities, and poor post-racing outcomes associated with greyhound racing can no longer be justified. Despite efforts within the industry, harm to greyhounds has remained a consistent reality.”
The bill is being led by Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister responsible for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. He stressed that, as a progressive nation, Wales must uphold strong animal welfare standards and meet the expectations of its citizens.
The legislation will take effect on 1 April 2027. A transition period will run until 1 April 2030, giving the industry time to phase out operations responsibly, arrange rehoming for retired dogs, and allow authorities to adapt.
At present, Valley Greyhound Stadium is the country’s only licensed greyhound racing venue, regulated by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
The decision is expected to hit independent and on-course bookmakers particularly hard and has drawn strong opposition from the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).
“This Bill has disgraced the ethical and legislative processes from start to finish,” said GBGB Chief Executive Officer, Mark Bird.
“All legislators and voters should be alarmed by the repeated failures in public consultation, evidence gathering and overall due diligence in the pursuit of this misguided Bill.
“First, the Welsh Government acted against officials’ advice, showing that there was insufficient evidence and consultation to justify a ban on greyhound racing. Then, they proceeded in the face of two damning cross-party Committee reports which warned of exactly the same concerns.
“Now, the Welsh Government has decided to press on with their rushed legislative timetable even while judges consider whether it is lawful, as part of the ongoing Judicial Review process.”
According to the Senedd, the decision followed extensive consultation with the public, campaigners, and industry representatives, whose input helped shape the bill.
However, critics argue that the process lacked balance. Gareth Davies voiced concerns over the depth of analysis conducted.
“Many such as myself would have liked a more in-depth analysis of the economic and cultural impact on planning the sport.
“As members of the Culture Committee, we saw evidence not just from campaigners, but from regulators, from those working in the industry and from communities directly affected.
“What became increasingly clear was that much of the case for this bill rests on outdated assumptions, selective evidence and a failure to properly engage with the current regulatory reality in Wales.”
The GBGB had already launched a legal challenge against the proposed ban last year, arguing that it had not been properly consulted during the process.
Following the vote, Bird added: “From the very beginning, the Welsh Government had the choice to opt for a regulated industry – one which upholds high standards of welfare and provides far greater protections for its racing greyhounds than for any domestic pet dog.”
“The only thing this Bill will do is destroy people’s jobs, family-run businesses and community touchpoints, not to mention cause significant loss to the Welsh economy.
“Valley Greyhound Stadium has invested around £2m in upgraded veterinary, kennelling and track facilities, all while offering employment and economic vitality for a community that needs it.
Anyone who has visited the track knows how deeply trainers, kennelhands and owners love their greyhounds and the lengths they go to in caring for and raising happy, healthy greyhounds.
“We remain resolute in our fight against this Bill process and await the court judgments.”
With the Senedd’s approval now secured, the ban could have broader implications for the sport internationally. A similar proposal is currently under consideration in Scotland.
The move also follows New Zealand’s decision to outlaw greyhound racing last year. As a result, the sport remains legal only in a limited number of countries, including the rest of the UK, Australia, Ireland, and the United States.