Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners

Career Overview

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

  • Casino Floor Runner
  • Casino Runner
  • Keno Writer
  • Racebook Writer

Alternate Job Titles

  • Bet Taker
  • Betting Clerk
  • Bingo Caller
  • Bingo Clerk
  • Bingo Floater
  • Bingo Worker
  • Bookie
  • Bookmaker
  • Caller
  • Cardroom Attendant
  • Casino Attendant
  • Casino Floor Runner
  • Casino Gaming Worker
  • Casino Runner
  • Casino Worker

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

  • 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.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

  • Provide race or game information to patrons.
  • Serve drinks to patrons.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Mathematics

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

  • Oral Comprehension
  • Oral Expression
  • Near Vision
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Speech Recognition
  • Speech Clarity
  • Information Ordering
  • Far Vision
  • Deductive Reasoning
  • Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self-Control

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

  • 10-key calculators
  • Audio communications systems
  • Barcode scanners
  • Betting boards
  • Bingo blowers
  • Bingo consoles
  • Digital game pacers
  • Electronic bingo handsets
  • Electronic cash registers
  • Handheld microphones
  • Keno systems
  • Keno ticket printers
  • Liquid crystal display LCD monitors
  • Mobile radios
  • Multi-line telephone systems

Work Environment

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Contact With Others
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  • Physical Proximity
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

Salary & Job Market

Salary PercentileAnnual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)$22,200
Median$30,460
Top Earners (90th percentile)$45,900

Workers Employed Nationally: 7,600

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

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