Greyhound Racing Industry Contributes More Than $151 Million in Taxes
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Greyhound race tracks employed more than 16,000 people and paid more than $151 million in taxes in 2005 according to an annual report released today by the American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA). The annual payroll of these tracks was more than $210 million and they spent nearly $334 million on goods and services.
In addition to live greyhound racing, most tracks offer simulcast wagering on greyhounds, horses, and in some cases, on jai-alai. Greyhound racing fans bet more than $772 million on simulcast horse races. Some tracks now have card rooms and slot machines. These additional gaming activities have generated millions of dollars of additional revenue for cities, counties and states.
The personnel who own and work for racing kennels and the approximately 800 greyhound-breeding farms nationwide also contribute to local economies through taxes and their operations. It is estimated that breeding farms invest more than $150 million in land, buildings and equipment, and purchase goods and services representing $96 million each year.
"While this economic contribution to the states where we do business is substantial, our sport could not exist were it not for our greyhound athletes," said Richard Winning, president of AGTOA. "We have a special responsibility to ensure greyhounds are well cared for from the time they are born until they retire."
Through the American Greyhound Council (AGC) a joint effort of track operators and greyhound breeders and trainers, the industry funded a number of programs designed to care for the welfare of racing greyhounds. The industry spent more than $139,000 on welfare-related programs in 2005 including:
* A farm inspection program, where inspectors make unannounced visits to
breeding farms to verify compliance with the industry's greyhound
welfare guidelines;
* Development of a vaccine for kennel cough;
* Development of a Web Site, http://www.ghrin.org, as a central source of
accurate and timely information on disease outbreaks;
* Greyhound safety, track surface and maintenance programs;
* Update of Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound, a comprehensive
guide for trainers, breeders, veterinarians and pet owners.
* Update of a Web-based international greyhound research database;
* Sponsorship of a canine sports medicine symposium to bring together
leading veterinarians specializing in greyhounds;
* An educational program for people who have adopted retired greyhounds.
The industry contributed more than $2.3 million to support greyhound adoption activities. This included providing grants to independent adoption programs; funding on-site track-sponsored programs; supporting an 800 number to facilitate greyhound adoption; providing a trailer to transport pet greyhounds; and promoting greyhound adoption programs.
Track management and employees also believe in giving back to their communities. In addition to volunteering their time, these tracks contributed nearly $19 million to hundreds of non-profit organizations.
The Annual Report to the Community was compiled by the AGTOA. Formed in April 1946, the AGTOA is a non-profit corporation comprised of the owners and operators of greyhound tracks located throughout the United States. To obtain a complete copy of this report, call 561-688-5799 or e-mail dbicsak@aldelphia.net or visit http://www.agtoa.com.
