SHORTER, Ala. (AP) — The financially troubled VictoryLand in Shorter is ending live dog racing, officials said Tuesday.
Chief Operating Officer Lewis Benefield said electronic bingo games subsidized live greyhound racing for many years, and live races are no longer feasible now that bingo is shut down.
He said daily races will end after Saturday. Races for young greyhounds will be held May 18, 21, 25 and 30. Then all live racing will be suspended after a run of nearly 27 years. Simulcast dog and horse races will remain at VictoryLand daily except Tuesdays.
A track spokesman said the end of live dog racing will result in 200 layoffs, but he couldn't say how many employees would remain to handle simulcast racing and food service.
The track missed paying its property taxes at the end of 2010, and its owner, Milton McGregor, faces trial June 6 on charges accusing him of buying votes for pro-gambling legislation that could have protected electronic bingo games.
VictoryLand once had about 2,000 employees at its dog track, casino, restaurants and hotel, but the casino and hotel closed last year during the state government's crackdown on privately operated electronic bingo casinos.
“Greyhound racing will resume when we can again offer the electronic bingo games which for many years subsidized the cost of live racing,” Benefield said.
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