WA greyhound racing set to cost community $36.4m this year, analysis reveals

Animals Australia

Greyhound racing in Western Australia is unviable, with the state set to lose $36.4 million in economic value this year alone, new analysis reveals.

An independent economic analysis on greyhound racing has been released as hearings begin today for the Parliamentary Inquiry into greyhound racing in Western Australia.

The analysis, commissioned by Animals Australia and conducted by independent economist Stephen Walters, who worked for WA Treasury early in his career, highlights new cost-benefit insights that previous economic studies sponsored by the racing code have failed to report.

The new report reveals that WA’s greyhound racing code has a net negative value and reduces WA’s overall economic prosperity.

It shows that in the next three years, greyhound racing in WA will cost half a billion dollars ($498.1 million) and generate $380.7 million in benefits. This is a cumulative net loss of $116.7 million in economic value over this period, with a $36.4 million net loss this year alone.

The report analyses the costs over the next three years, assuming a phase out of greyhound racing by 2029. This timeline aligns with other governments and recommendations from animal protection organisations, and includes a transition support package for greyhound racing participants.

The cost-benefit analysis also found:

For every dollar spent on dog racing in WA, 21 cents of economic value is lost once costs are taken into account.
The cost to WA taxpayers is substantial, with an estimated $39.3 million of government funding allocated to prop up greyhound racing in 2026, ballooning to $108.3 million over the three years to 2028.
Inefficient land use of WA's greyhound tracks creates an opportunity cost of more than $3 million every year. Bunnings at Cannington is about half the size of the nearby greyhound racing track, yet it generates millions more in economic value from its land.
Greyhound racing is a relatively low productivity economic activity, generating a small number of lower-paying jobs.
Gambling-related harm is the single largest societal cost associated with greyhound racing in WA, costing $110.5 million in 2026 alone and a cumulative $316.7 million in the three years to 2028.
Significant disparity in the estimated aggregate net value of WA’s greyhound racing code compared to previous reports sponsored by the racing sector.

Independent economist Stephen Walters said: “Greyhound racing destroys economic value in Western Australia, costing the community more than it returns. For every dollar spent on greyhound racing in WA, only 79 cents of community value is delivered once the significant costs are taken into account.

“Previous economic reports sponsored by racing have inflated the economic value of greyhound racing, used data that cannot be verified, applied outdated and flawed multipliers to further lift estimated benefits, and ignored virtually all costs.

"After accounting for all benefits, including wages paid and tax revenue generated, greyhound racing in WA still generates a net negative return to the state economy. The costs are substantial: long-term gambling harm, poor animal welfare, inefficient land use, and significant taxpayer funds that could otherwise fund hospitals, schools and essential services, but are diverted to the code.”

WA’s Free the Hounds President Melissa Harrison said: “WA’s greyhound racing 'industry' is in decline, but it continues to be kept alive by government support and taxpayer funds, while dogs and the community pay the price.

“Every year, tens of millions of taxpayer funds are funnelled into a practice built on gambling harm and animal suffering, and now it’s happening in the middle of a housing and cost-of-living crisis. That is indefensible. This money should be going into homes, hospitals and schools in WA, not propping up a failing racing code.

“The greyhound racing lobby’s so-called 'welfare measures' are a case of damage control - profit is always their priority. No amount of track upgrades or changes to race schedules will ever alter the fact that greyhounds spend their days in kennels and the numbers requiring rehoming will always be surplus to available homes.

“When the racing sector is done with these dogs, it’s not the government picking up the bill - it’s volunteers. Rescue groups are left to carry the financial and emotional burden of rehabilitation and rehoming, relying on donations while the 'industry' walks away.

“Western Australians have made their position clear - they want greyhound racing phased out. The government can no longer ignore the evidence, the economics, or the public.

“It’s time to stop funding harm and start investing in a kinder Western Australia.”

Animals Australia CEO Glenys Oogjes said: “We acknowledge that greyhound racing may have generated some economic return in the past, but we now know the costs far outweigh the benefits to the WA economy, for our community and for the dogs. Dog racing is inherently cruel, doesn’t stack up economically, and doesn’t pass the pub test. It’s time to cut the dogs loose from racing.

“Greyhound racing generates a net negative for animal welfare. Racing harms dogs directly and by design - overbreeding, injuries, pain, euthanasia, cruel training, long periods of confinement, isolation, and psychological damage so severe that some may never be safely rehomed.

“Australia is the world’s largest greyhound racing nation and one of only several jurisdictions, globally, that continues to race dogs commercially. New Zealand is prohibiting dog racing in mid-2026, and Wales and Scotland recently announced plans to end dog racing for good. Most states in the US have prohibited dog racing. The world has walked away from greyhound racing, recognising the severe harm it causes.

“With Tasmania set to make history through its Upper House vote on the future of greyhound racing within weeks, Western Australia’s Parliamentary Inquiry puts the WA government in a strong position to join the momentum and lead the nation.”

Other facts:

Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) is expected to self-regulate, overseeing both the commercial and welfare aspects of greyhound racing. This is a conflict of interest - RWWA cannot credibly self-regulate an 'industry' it profits from.
There is no independent regulator for greyhound racing in WA.
ABS employment data reported only 67 full-time equivalent workers were employed across WA’s greyhound and horse racing codes in 2021-22.
Since 2015, greyhound racing in WA has killed more than 1,550 healthy dogs.
In 2025, 21 dogs died and 604 dogs were injured on WA tracks.
Three in five (60%) Western Australians want the WA parliament to vote on phasing out greyhound racing, with less than one quarter (23%) opposed to a phase out.
Around 500 greyhounds are bred for racing in Western Australia each year, while the code’s adoption programs rehome fewer than 300 dogs every year.
Active commercial greyhound racing tracks exist in Australia, Ireland, the United States which has two active racetracks, the UK and New Zealand, however it will be prohibited in New Zealand from 31 July 2026.
In March 2026, Wales and Scotland announced plans to end greyhound racing. Tasmania’s Legislative Council is expected to vote in April on a bill to phase-out greyhound racing in 2029.

Contact details:

Sofie: 0403 920 301