Gaming and sports book writers and runners: Salary, career path, job outlook, education and more
Gaming and sports book writers and runners handle bets on sporting events and take and record bets for customers. Sports book writers and runners also verify tickets and pay out winning tickets. In addition, they help run games such as bingo and keno. Some gaming runners collect winning tickets from customers in a casino. Gaming and sports book writers and runners typically do the following:
- Scan tickets and calculate winnings
- Operate the equipment that randomly selects bingo or keno numbers
- Announce bingo or keno numbers when they are selected
- Oversee the cash that comes in (on bets) and goes out (on winnings) during their shift
- Education Required
- Gaming dealers, gaming supervisors, sports book writers and runners, and slot supervisors typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Educational requirements for gaming managers, however, differ by casino. Although some casinos may only require a high school diploma or equivalent, others require gaming managers to have a college degree. Those who choose to pursue a degree may study hotel management, hospitality, or accounting in addition to taking formal management classes.
- Training Required
- Individual casinos or other gaming establishments have their own training requirements. New gaming dealers may be sent to gaming school for a few weeks to learn a casino game, such as blackjack or craps. These schools teach the rules and procedures of the game, as well as state and local laws and regulations related to the game.
- Job Outlook
-
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026: 2% (Slower than average)
(The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.) - Advancement
- Gaming managers are often promoted from positions as slot or gaming supervisors. They also may be moved from a management job in another part of the resort, such as hospitality, after learning about casino operations through an internship or on-the-job training.
- Licenses/Certifications
- Gaming services workers must be licensed by a state regulatory agency, such as a state casino control board or gaming commission. Licensing requirements for supervisory or managerial positions may differ from those for gaming dealers, gaming and sports book writers and runners, and all other gaming workers. However, all applicants for a license must provide photo identification and pay a fee. They also must typically pass an extensive background check and drug test. Failure to pass the background check may prevent candidates from getting a job or a gaming license.
- Median pay: How much do Gaming Services Workers make?
- $20,810 Annual Salary
- $10.00 per hour
Careers for Gaming Services Workers
- 21 dealers
- Betting clerks
- Bingo managers
- Blackjack dealers
- Blackjack pit bosses
- Blackjack supervisors
- Bookies
- Card room managers
- Card table attendants
- Casino dealers
- Casino floor runners
- Casino games dealers
- Casino managers
- Casino slot supervisors
- Casino supervisors
- Craps dealers
- Electronic gaming device supervisors
- Executive casino hosts
- Financial clerks
- Gambling supervisors
- Gaming dealers
- Gaming department heads
- Gaming directors
- Gaming managers
- Gaming managers and supervisors
- Keno dealers
- Keno runners
- Keno writers
- Pit bosses
- Pit clerks
- Pit supervisors
- Poker dealers
- Poker prop players
- Poker room supervisors
- Proposition players
- Race and sports book writers
- Race book writers
- Roulette dealers
- Shills
- Slot floor supervisors
- Slot hosts
- Slot key persons
- Slot operations directors
- Slot shift managers
- Slot supervisors
- Slots managers
- Sports book board attendants
- Sports book ticket writers
- Table games dealers
- Table games managers
- Table games supervisors