Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Act 2026
The Prohibition of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Act 2026 (“the 2026 Act”) makes it an offence to operate a stadium or similar venue in Wales and use it, or knowingly permit it to be used, for greyhound racing. The 2026 Act also makes it an offence to be involved in organising greyhound racing that takes place, or is intended to take place, in Wales. ‘Greyhound racing’ is defined as setting greyhounds to run around a track in pursuit of a lure activated by mechanical means and includes timing or training a greyhound as it runs around a track.
The Explanatory Notes to the 2026 Act provide detailed commentary on the various provisions. A link to the Explanatory Notes on legislation.gov.uk will be provided once available.
Coming into force
Sections 6 and 7 of the 2026 Act came into force on 28 April 2026. Section 6 provides that the remaining provisions of the 2026 Act, and therefore the prohibition of greyhound racing in Wales, are to be brought into force no sooner than 1 April 2027 and no later than 1 April 2030.
Consideration of the legislation by the Senedd
The Bill was introduced to the Senedd on 29 September 2025 by Huw Irranca-Davies MS, the then Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs. It was passed by the Senedd on 17 March 2026 and received Royal Assent on 27 April 2026.
More information about the 2026 Act is provided on the Senedd website including a record of the Bill’s passage through the Senedd.
An Explanatory Memorandum was originally prepared for consideration by the Senedd alongside the Bill. This has now been revised and updated to reflect the final form of the 2026 Act.