Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Post information enabling patrons to wager on various races and sporting events. Assist in the operation of games such as keno and bingo. May operate random number-generating equipment and announce the numbers for patrons. Receive, verify, and record patrons' wagers. Scan and process winning tickets presented by patrons and pay out winnings for those wagers.
Also known as: Bet Taker, Betting Clerk, Bingo Caller, Bingo Clerk, Bingo Floater, Bingo Worker, Bookie, Bookmaker, ...
Annual Salary
Median annual wage (May 2024)
Job Outlook
Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Declining)
What You'd Do
- Collect bets in the form of cash or chips, verifying and recording amounts.
- Collect cards or tickets from players.
- Answer questions about game rules or casino policies.
- Compute and verify amounts won or lost, paying out winnings or referring patrons to workers, such as gaming cashiers, so that winnings can be collected.
- Compare the house hand with players' hands to determine the winner.
- Check to ensure that all players have placed their bets before play begins.
- Conduct gambling tables or games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, and ensure that game rules are followed.
- Prepare collection reports for submission to supervisors.
- Pay off or move bets as established by game rules and procedures.
- Inspect cards or equipment to be used in games to ensure they are in proper condition.
- Exchange paper currency for playing chips or coins.
- Open or close cash floats or game tables.
- Start gaming equipment that randomly selects numbered balls and announce winning numbers and colors.
- Record the number of tickets cashed and the amount paid out after each race or event.
- Operate games in which players bet that a ball will come to rest in a particular slot on a rotating wheel, performing actions such as spinning the wheel and releasing the ball.
- Supervise staff and games and mediate disputes.
- Deliver tickets, cards, and money to bingo callers.
- Sell food, beverages, or tobacco to players.
Top Skills
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Knowledge Areas
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level
Technology & Tools
Software and tools commonly used in this role
In-Demand Technologies
Other Tools
Work Styles
Personality traits and work styles important for this career
Key Abilities
Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Activities
General types of job behaviors occurring on this job
Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)
Work Environment
Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work
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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.