Dogged by persistent allegations of animal cruelty – some proven to be true – greyhound racing tracks near and far have lost the public’s puppy love.

Rack ‘n’ Roll

Though greyhounds have been bred to be canine companions for thousands of years, the first modern greyhound racing track with grandstands opened a mere century ago in Emeryville, CA. By the mid-1920s the sport had spread to Great Britain, and today at least a half-dozen countries around the world allow gambling at greyhound races. That’s not to say the bloom has come off the mechanical hare – it has. Closed and abandoned dog-racing tracks aren’t at all uncommon nowadays, with one of the most notable being the stadium above in Black Canyon City, AZ. Flickr members MARLON SEPPALA and Thomas Schultz snapped the moribund “DOG _RACK” in July of 2008 and September of 2010, respectively.

The Finished Line

Owen Patrick Smith, the “father” of modern greyhound racing, invented the mechanical hare not to beguile Bugs Bunny but to remove actual live bunnies from the equation. Society has progressed further in recent years – some dog tracks have dispensed with the robo-rabbit entirely, in favor of a windsock-like device. Still, for many operations the changes were too little and too late. Flickr member Katy Warner captured the grim atmosphere surrounding this dog-tired abandoned dog racing track near Florida’s Daytona Speedway in February of 2009.

Swansea Song

Smith’s vision was to get the public to see “greyhound racing as we see horse racing”, and that included monetizing the operations through gambling receipts. It was a winning proposition… for a while. In the UK, greyhound racing was a hit with the public: over 40 tracks affiliated with the Greyhound Racing Association were up and running by the end of 1927, just a year after the first organized race was run.

The popularity of greyhound racing in the UK reached its peak just after the end of the Second World War. By the early 1960s, however, the industry as a whole entered a long period of decline. One of the main contributing factors was the passing of the Betting and Gaming Act in 1960, which permitted off-course cash betting. Flickr member Alexander Jones visited the much-deteriorated remains of the Swansea Greyhound Stadium in June of 2012.

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Hounded 7 Abandoned Greyhound Racing Tracks

These 12 closed and abandoned bingo halls couldn’t compete with an increasing variety of online gaming options and the gradual spread of gambling casinos.

Down & Out In Dudley

Bingo can trace its history back to early 16th century Italy but the classic cards & numbers game really took off in the 1920s when its rules, format and equipment were standardized. Bingo boomed in Great Britain as well when, following the flight from movie theaters to in-home television in the 1950s, many newly-closed cinemas were converted to bingo halls.

The Hippodrome in Dudley, just northwest of the city of Birmingham, was one of these re-purposed silver screens. The 1,750-person capacity Hippodrome opened in 1938, closed (as a theater) in 1964, reopened as a bingo hall operated by Gala Bingo, and finally closed for good in 2009. Cheers to Flickr user Mikey Jones (donebythehandsofabrokenartist) for capturing the once-grand Hippodrome in its current (as of November 2010) sad state.

Punched Card

Bingo was (and still is) popular at traditional social gatherings held at and by churches so when the church is abandoned, so is the bingo. Credit Flickr user Forsaken Fotos for the evocative image above depicting a scattered remnant of fun times past from Brownsville, PA.

Odeon, Odeoff

When Bradford’s New Victoria cinema opened in 1930 it was the first such theater to be designed especially for showing “talkies”. The stately Renaissance Revival building underwent multiple changes in ownership over the next few decades until it was bought by Odeon Cinemas in the late 1960s. Odeon converted part of the building into the 1,000-seat Top Rank bingo hall, which shut its doors in the late 1990s. Credit Flickr user jST. with photographically capturing the abandoned bingo hall in mid-March of 2011.

Under The B: INGO

The photographer who snapped the image above didn’t give any details whatsoever on where the sign is located or what bingo hall it advertised – and the striking yet generic sign itself offers no clue either. Give Flickr user geo3pea credit, however, for bending over backwards (literally) to create an outstanding image that gives real perspective on the current state of the bingo “industry”.

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Punched Cards 12 Closed Abandoned Bingo Halls

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? No longer! Sin City’s magnificent makeover has been a boon for vacationers seeking the best beyond just the bets. Las Vegas’ host of hotels have helped make the gambling mecca a true desert oasis and the party starts in the pool.

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino: Rehab Pool Party

(image via: Essential Style For Men)

(images via: Venere and Travelrag)

(image via: About.com/Hotels)

Whoever designed the pool at the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel must have been given a blank check and as much real estate as they needed, as the pool complex is practically its own ecosystem. Surrounded by faux mountains and featuring meandering rivers, sandy beaches and hot tubs manned by blackjack dealers, this is a Pool with a capital P! The wet wonderland really shifts into high gear every Sunday from 11AM through 7PM as partygoers flock to the Rehab Pool Party. After a day at Rehab, you’ll probably need… more rehab.

Caesars Palace: Garden of the Gods

(image via: John Crossley)

(images via: Sheri Keyser and Vintage Vegas)

(image via: About.com/Las Vegas Travel)

Hail Caesar! Caesars, actually, where the Palace grounds feature a sextet of spectacular pools grouped in a luxuriant oasis known as the Garden of the Gods. Roman emperors would be quite at home in the Garden of the Gods, though they might not know what to make of the iPod docks, wireless Internet and flat screen TVs that make the cabanas true homes away from Rome. Even Nero would give the Garden of the Gods oasis at Caesars Palace Las Vegas a big thumbs up.

The Mirage Pool

(image via: Rocking Vegas)

(image via: Go There Guide)

No fancy name required; the pool at the Mirage Las Vegas stands on its own. Just be sure you don’t mistake the huge aquarium behind the reception desk for the pool – the nearly one hundred species of fish including sharks, stingrays and pufferfish who populate it may not take kindly to your intrusion. The real pool – pools actually, as several discrete artificial lagoons interconnnect with one another – lies within an elaborately constructed rainforest replete with a cascading waterfall, lush gardens, even a dolphin habitat.

Flamingo Hotel: Go Pool

(image via: Destination 360)

(images via: Hotels Feel and Oyster)

The Flamingo Las Vegas recently renovated their pool and as a Sin City sunbathing center the new Go Pool has few rivals. Sprawling over 15 acres, the pool complex offers guests sheltered grottos, shading palm trees and soothing music from live DJs. The Go Pool happily accommodates the new wave of “European Style” (topless) vacationers as well: the exclusive upper deck is reserved for those who dare to go bare. One of the Go Pool’s favorite features are the fully equipped cabanas providing a host of services and amenities including a television, mini fridge, bottle service, even a personal host to cater to your every whim.

Mandalay Bay: Mandalay Beach Pool

(image via: USA Today)

(images via: Best Las Vegas Pools and Forbes Traveler)

At the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, a climate controlled beach-side casino helps keep gamblers cool when the chips are down but that’s only one part of what the Mandalay Bay Beach complex offers. A full 11 acres of pools and lagoons containing 1.6 million gallons of water and tons of real beach sand combine to create a “beach environment” served by over 100 rental cabanas, decadent daybeds and even full fledged villas. Among the various types of pools in the complex is a huge wave pool big enough to accommodate body-boarders.

Paris Hotel Pool

(image via: Aungst.net)

(images via: Oyster, Trip Advisor and LasVegas.me)

The pool at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel lies in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and the huge hot air balloon out front – maybe not the best sun-worshippers could hope for but an outstanding view in its own right. Roughly circular and occupying a full 2 acres of space, the pool offers spacious surroundings and scads of lounge chairs from which to take in the incongruous sight of Paris rising from the desert sands. One wonders what actual French tourists think of the setting.

MGM Grand: Grand Pool Complex and The Signature

(image via: Early Vegas)

(images via: Oyster and Trip Advisor)

Imagine floating down an 8,000 ft long lazy river in an inner tube, stopping at 5 bars along the way while tropical palm trees provide welcome shade from the brilliant sun. Reality then takes up where imagination leaves off. the Grand Pool Complex at the MGM Grand includes, besides the aforementioned lazy river and bars, 4 pools and 3 jacuzzis. One interesting feature of the complex is the Wet Republic which features 2 saltwater pools and an outdoor lounge/bar. Grand indeed! For those who prefer to take Las Vegas on their own terms – and slip away to peace and quiet when they choose – The Signature towers provide guests with the very best service in a comfortable condo-style atmosphere.

Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel & Casino

(image via: AOL Travel)

(images via: Quik Book and Cristina)

The Tropicana was the first Las Vegas hotel to offer in-pool gambling and this classy innovator is a favorite stop for many Vegas veterans. The Trop’ is also a leader in casino pool design and most of the Strip’s larger hotels have copied its verdant rainforest themed pool complex and its many fountains, waterfalls and grottos. Knowing the history of the Tropicana and its constant drive to be on the leading edge of Las Vegas pool design, it will be interesting to see what the owners have in store for April of 2010, when the currently closed and under construction pool complex is revealed !

Pools At The Palms Casino Resort

(image via: Tanya Murray)

(image via: StyleCrave)

One of the more luxurious Las Vegas hotels – and that’s saying something – The Palms features a number of pool options to thrill the most jaded of travelers. The sixth floor pool just outside Simon’s Restaurant & Lounge offers a serene and peaceful pool getaway while at the upper end, the $40,000 per night Hugh Hefner Sky Villa atop the Tower of Palms Casino Resort features an indoor pool with an attached outdoor Jacuzzi that overlooks the Las Vegas Strip.

(image via: About.com/Hotels)

At The Palms, you don’t have to be Hugh to have a pool with a view: the penthouse suites at The Palms have hot tubs built-in to the balconies. Wouldn’t the steam fog up the window glass? It would be great to find out!

Pools At The Bellagio

(image via: Have2Ask)

(image via: Trip Advisor)

One of Las Vegas’ most elegant hotels and famed for its fantastic fountains, the Bellagio offers swim fans a five-fold treat with a quintet of luxurious pools. Those with “snow white syndrome” need not fear: each pool is maintained at a slightly different water temperature. The pools at the Bellagio also evoke different moods and cultures. Take the Tuscan Villa Pool at above top; it features lush greenery, integral fountains and even misting fans to add, er, mystery.

(image via: CGRF)

Perhaps the most amazing thing about these heavenly pools is the fact that they, and the city of Las Vegas, are situated in the midst of a searingly hot and dry desert. Where are the hotels finding the tens of millions of gallons of water needed to keep these symbols of conspicuous consumption afloat? Certainly these are thoughts worth considering… as one orders up another pina colada from the poolside bar.