Gambling and 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 pay out winnings for those wagers.

The occupation "Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners" is assessed to have an automation risk of 64.7%, which is closely aligned with its calculated base risk of 65.3%. This suggests that a significant portion of the tasks within this job are susceptible to automation, primarily because they are repetitive and rule-based. For example, one of the most automatable tasks is collecting bets in the form of cash or chips, a process that can be streamlined through electronic betting kiosks or automated payment systems. Similarly, collecting cards or tickets from players is a straightforward, routine activity well-suited to basic machines or digital alternatives. Finally, computing and verifying amounts won or lost, as well as paying out winnings, are numerical and transactional duties that can be accurately handled by computer algorithms and point-of-sale systems. However, the role retains some elements that are currently resistant to automation. Tasks such as supervising staff and games, and mediating disputes require a human touch for effective conflict resolution, judgment, and accountability—areas where machines still lag behind humans. Selling food, beverages, or tobacco to players introduces customer service and interpersonal communication, which involve a level of adaptability and empathy machines struggle to replicate. Delivering tickets, cards, and money to bingo callers is another example of a task that requires physical coordination and flexibility in a dynamic environment, which may not be efficiently handled by current automated solutions. A closer look at the bottleneck skills for this occupation illuminates why some tasks remain less automatable. Skills like originality—scored at 2.0% and 1.8%—indicate a very modest requirement for creative or innovative thinking, which, although not central to the core of this job, still injects a level of unpredictability and human nuance. Originality is critical in situations that require unique problem-solving, adapting to new rules, or handling unexpected issues, especially in customer-facing or supervisory roles. As automation technology advances, the importance of these bottleneck skills will likely be a crucial determinant in which aspects of the job remain human-centric, preserving a distinct, if somewhat reduced, demand for human workers in this occupation.