What Do Sports Book Writers and Runners Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

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 payout winnings for those wagers. They also conduct gambling tables or games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, and ensure that game rules are followed.

Other tasks include:

• 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.
• Seat patrons at gaming tables.
• Open or close cash floats or game tables.
• Pay off or move bets as established by game rules and procedures.

We asked Sports Book Writers and Runners how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

---

69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Sports Book Writers and Runners conduct gambling tables or games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, and ensure that game rules are followed. They exchange paper currency for playing chips or coins.

A typical day for a Gaming and Sports Book Writer and Runner will also include:

• Check to ensure that all players have placed their bets before play begins.
• Compare the house hand with players’ hands to determine the winner.
• Collect bets in the form of cash or chips, verifying and recording amounts.
• Pay off or move bets as established by game rules and procedures.
• Collect cards or tickets from players.

We asked some Sports Book Writers and Runners a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	17% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	75% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	63% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	59% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	47% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Sports Book Writers and Runners also prepare collection reports for submission to supervisors. They may also answer questions about game rules or casino policies.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Sports Book Writers and Runners Conduct gambling tables or games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, and ensure that game rules are followed. They might also Inspect cards or equipment to be used in games to ensure they are in proper condition.

In addition, they Start gaming equipment that randomly selects numbered balls and announce winning numbers and colors.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Supervise staff and games and mediate disputes.

To some Sports Book Writers and Runners, it is also their responsibility to Pay off or move bets as established by game rules and procedures.

Working life

Less than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Gaming and Sports Book Writer and Runner, you can expect to work less than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/personal-care-and-service/gaming-services-occupations.htm

https://www.americangaming.org/

http://www.casinocareers.com/