Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Personal Care & Service
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-3012
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Collect bets in the form of cash or chips, verifying and recording amounts.
• Collect cards or tickets from players.
• 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.
• Answer questions about game rules or casino policies.
• Conduct gambling tables or games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, and ensure that game rules are followed.
• 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.
• Exchange paper currency for playing chips or coins.
• Compare the house hand with players' hands to determine the winner.
• Open or close cash floats or game tables.
• Pay off or move bets as established by game rules and procedures.
• Start gaming equipment that randomly selects numbered balls and announce winning numbers and colors.
• Check to ensure that all players have placed their bets before play begins.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, 10-key calculators, Audio communications systems, Barcode scanners, Betting boards, Bingo blowers, Bingo consoles, Credit card processing software

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Gambling Dealers
• Gambling Cage Workers
• Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers
• Gambling Managers
• First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
• Tellers
• Cashiers
• Amusement and Recreation Attendants

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.