The body was formed to regulate the industry, operate a tote betting system, licence and authorise each stadium, its officials, and its on-course bookmakers, and promote the sport through advertising and prize grants.

The reason for the involvement is because Northern Irish tracks do not come under the jurisdiction of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB).

However the tracks do not receive funding or licensing from Greyhound Racing Ireland (Irish: Rásaíocht) In 1960 a new totalisator system was installed at four tracks Harolds Cross, Shelbourne Park, Cork and Limerick, in addition to obtaining Clonmel from the Morris family headed by T.A.Morris the former secretary of the Irish Coursing Club.

Des Hanrahan became chairman of Bord na gCon in 1965 (taking over from Dr Paddy Maguire [7]) and actively sought to buy any Irish tracks in danger of being sold to developers.

[10] The provisions enacted provide for an expanded Governing Board of nine members as well as laying the foundation for a new traceability system for racing greyhounds; enhanced powers for authorised officers; a more robust and modern regulatory framework and ultimately the updating of racing sanctions to be administered by an independent Control Committee and an Appeal Committee, the members of which will be appointed by the Minister following an open selection process.