PHOENIX — Dog racing in Arizona appears to be on its last legs.
Without dissent, state lawmakers gave final approval Saturday to legislation that outlaws the practice at the end of the year. The measure now goes to the governor.
The action came with the blessing of the owners of Tucson Greyhound Park, 2601 S. Third Ave., the lone remaining operating dog track in Arizona.
The practice of racing dogs has come under increased criticism and allegations about how the dogs are treated and what happens to the greyhounds that do not win.
But there’s another reason track owners are going along: They will get a guaranteed revenue stream for the next two years.
That’s all wrapped up in existing laws, which give Tucson Greyhound Park the exclusive right to operate off-track betting sites in Southern Arizona. Customers can wager on horse and dog races from around the country.
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As part of that arrangement, though, Phoenix-based Turf Paradise has to pay Tucson Greyhound Park about $500,000 a year to have signals from its live horse races carried — and bets taken — at those off-track betting locations.
At least part of the reason the dog track has stayed in business is that under existing law, it has to have live racing to keep its exclusive right to operate off-track betting sites.
The deal incorporated in the new legislation maintains that exclusivity and the payments from Turf Paradise for two years beyond the time the track ceases operation.
After that, Turf Paradise can open its own off-track betting locations in Southern Arizona.
