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.
National median · BLS
$34,980
▲ +14.84%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$36,450
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
8,950
Jobs (BLS)
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Pay range for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$22,090
25th
$28,150
Median (50th)
$34,980
75th
$44,840
90th — top pay
$48,270
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
BLS projects employment of gambling and sports book writers and runners to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 1,400 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
9,600 → 9,800
+200 jobs
Projected change
+1.8%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
1,400
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
4.7% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 2)
Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What gambling and sports book writers and runners do
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.
Bet TakerBetting ClerkBingo ClerkBingo FloaterBingo WorkerBookieBookmakerCallerCardroom AttendantCasino Gaming WorkerEntertainment And Recreation Industry RunnerMutuel CashierMutuel Machine OperatorPari Mutuel ClerkPari Mutuel Ticket SellerRace Board AttendantRunnerSheet WriterSports Book Board AttendantSports Book ClerkSports Book ServerSports Book WriterSports ClerkSports RunnerSportsbook Ticket Writer
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $34,980.
