Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Also called: Bet Taker, Betting Clerk, Bingo Caller, Bingo Clerk, Bingo Floater, Bingo Worker, Bookie, Bookmaker
Post information enabling patrons to wager on various races and sporting events.
What gambling and sports book writers and runners do
Typical tasks
- Answer questions about game rules or casino policies.
- 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.
- Pay off or move bets as established by game rules and procedures.
- Conduct gambling tables or games, such as dice, roulette, cards, or keno, and ensure that game rules are followed.
- 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.
- Record the number of tickets cashed and the amount paid out after each race or event.
- Supervise staff and games and mediate disputes.
- Collect bets in the form of cash or chips, verifying and recording amounts.
- Prepare collection reports for submission to supervisors.
- Inspect cards or equipment to be used in games to ensure they are in proper condition.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners salary
The median annual wage for gambling and sports book writers and runners is $34,980 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $22,090 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $48,270. The mean annual wage is $36,450.
The mean hourly wage of $17.00 is 2.3× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $34,980 → in 3 years $37,800 → in 5 years $39,800 → in 10 years $45,200 (10-year range $38,800–$52,400). The model assumes pay growth of +2.6% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Skills, education and requirements for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★☆☆☆☆ Easy to enter (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become gambling and sports book writers and runners
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as gambling and sports book writers and runners
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.