Fears that a downturn in greyhound betting, as the result of the media rights battle, combined with the continued failure to pay into the BGRF by a number of bookmaking organisations, opens up the real possibility of greyhound racing being unable to fulfill its welfare commitments including the recently launched Greyhound Commitment.

With that in mind, GBGB managing director has published an open letter to Paul Darling, chairman of the bookmaker’s trade body the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) and Clive Hawkswood of the Remote Gambling Association.

Bird said: “The issue of the voluntary levy and the continued deliberations of some bookmakers as to the inclusion of online offshore turnover is in danger of plunging the sport into crisis. Our Greyhound Commitment, planned apprenticeship scheme and improvements to greyhound welfare are all predicated on an increase in funding, where as if there are the predicted widespread closures of betting shops, funding could actually decrease further.”