Off-course bookmakers, or betting shop managers, run
licensed betting offices. They manage and coordinate all
betting shop activities.
Betting shop managers
are responsible for developing a team of cashiers and
may take on cashier duties during busy periods. Other
tasks include producing profit and loss reports, staff
planning and attending meetings.
On-course
bookmakers, or turf accountants, work in betting shops
on location, usually at horse or dog racing tracks. They
are often family businesses and employ a small number
of staff.
On-course and off-course betting shops are open seven
days a week, and winter hours are approximately 10am
to 6pm. From April to August they stay open later in the
evening until the results of the last race at about
9.30pm. Bookmakers may need to start early and finish
late at times. Weekend working is often a requirement.
Part-time work may be possible.
To be a bookmaker you should:
Although numbers have decreased there are still many
race courses with on-site betting and more than 8,000
betting shops spread across the country.
With
the right expertise and financial backing, you could
become a self-employed bookmaker - as long as you
comply with all the legal requirements. See the
Association of British Bookmakers website, listed in
Further Information, for more details about this.
There may be opportunities for promotion in the
larger organisations, managing shops with larger
turnover, for instance. Further opportunities exist in
regional and district management, with responsibility for
a number of shops.
Posts are often advertised
in local press or the Racing Post (see Further
Information). You could also contact local betting shops
and chains directly to discuss opportunities.
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