Greyhound racing continues year-round at Wheeling Downs, but it is secondary to video slot machines and table games. Almost $1 million was spent to convert Wheeling Downs to dog racing, which began in 1976. The track’s future was assured with the passage of a dog racing bill by the state legislature in 1975. Harness racing resumed from 1969 to 1975. Wheeling Downs never was a big-money horse track, and a 1962 fire ended racing until 1968. The parimutuel system of betting was used. Races were held from late May to late June and from late August to late September. In 1937, the facility, then known as Wheeling Downs, opened for harness racing as a half-mile horse track on the grounds of the State Fair Park.
Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino & Racetrack is a greyhound racing track and gambling center located on Wheeling Island in the city of Wheeling.
