Job description
Sports book writers manage and handle customer bets on various sporting events like football, tennis or boxing. They’re responsible for taking bets from customers and recording them electronically. They also verify tickets and calculate and pay out winning bets to customers.
Duties
- Manage and handle customer bets on sporting events
- Receive and record bets electronically
- Scan and verify tickets from customers
- Calculate and pay out winning bets to customers
- Supervise any cash that comes in and out for bets
- Interact with customers
- Monitor customers for any rule or regulation violations
- Inform managers of any violating customers
- Explain sports, teams and bet procedures to customers
Skills and qualities
Job outlook
Projected growth
-1%
New jobs
-100
Automation risk
91%
Career progression
Sports book writers often move on to other, more prestigious and larger gambling establishments like as slot or gaming supervisors. Eventually, with enough experience, they may also progress into the position of gaming manager.
Working conditions
Average hours
40h/ week
Typical schedule
Shift Work
Nights, weekends, holidays occasionally
Sports book writers generally work indoors in gambling establishments such as a casinos or betting offices. They deal with a variety of customers, including some that are angry or irritated after losing a bet.
Sports book writers spend most of their day standing as they take and record bets. The environment is often fast-paced, loud and smoke-filled. These professionals work with computers on a daily basis to electronically place customer bets.
They must also be aware of the betting laws in their area, as well as keep an eye out for any regulation violations.
Salary
Bottom 10%
$19k
Median
$24k
Top 10%
$43k
Annual salary estimates are based on percentile wage data collected through the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey of US workers.
Qualifications and training
Education level
High school
On-the-job training
Study time
4 weeks
Sports book writers can enter the profession with just a high school diploma or equivalent, although a bachelor’s degree in computer science, sports management or mathematics and statistics can improve job prospects.
Training is typically provided on the job and can last up to one month. Sports book writers will also be informed about state laws and regulations related to betting by the gambling establishment they work for.
All sports book writers must also be licensed by their states before securing a job.
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
