WV greyhound racetracks handled $400 million in 2023

The two greyhound racing tracks in West Virginia, Wheeling Island and Tri-State, handled more than $400 million in 2023 – a $50 million increase from the year before.

            The handle represents the amount of money bet on races from on-track patrons and from simulcast outlets.

            Last year, a total of $258,952,536 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $144,715,912 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $403,668,448.

            Wheeling Island broke its own national single day handle record for greyhound racing at one track on Saturday afternoon, May 6.

            The total wagered on-track and off-track on Wheeling Island greyhounds was $1,625,392, surpassing the $1,527,075 bet on greyhounds at Wheeling on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2022.

            Tri-State Greyhound Park handled $852,099 the same day Wheeling surpassed its own record – giving the two West Virginia tracks a total of $2,477,491 on one day.

            Tri-State did set a one-day handle mark of $854,209 on Saturday evening, March 4.

            Other 2023 highlights from the two racetracks follow:

            -Wheeling had 120-million-dollar handle days.

            -Wheeling had 42 straight million-dollar Saturday handles.

            -Tri-State had 45 days with $700,000 or $800,000 handles.

            In 2022, a total of $230,672,765 was bet on Wheeling greyhounds while $121,033,046 was wagered on Tri-State racers. The combined amount was $351,705,811.

            The 2023 handle increased 14.77 percent.                                          

(Note: The handle amounts were tabulated daily but are unofficial).