How to become a Bookmaker's Clerk

Bookmaker's clerks take bets from customers at betting agencies or bookmakers' stands, or over the phone, and assist bookmakers to provide betting services at race meetings.

Personal requirements for a Bookmaker's Clerk

Enjoy working with people
Able to work weekends and evenings
Good with figures
Comfortable working with computers

Education & Training for a Bookmaker's Clerk

You can work as a bookmaker's clerk without formal qualifications, but employers usually require Year 10. You will probably get some informal training on the job.

Additional information

The minimum age for a bookmaker's clerk is 18. You may also need to hold a relevant licence and undergo a National Police Check.

Duties & Tasks of a Bookmaker's Clerk

Bookmakers' clerks:

Take bets from customers over the phone or in person
Receive cash or record bets electronically
Check on the amounts of money placed on race entrants, update the betting ledger and advise bookmakers
Check details and numbers on winning betting tickets against those in the betting ledger, and pay money on winning tickets.

Tasks

Verifies the identity and account balances of betting agency customers.
Takes bets by debiting credit accounts and bank accounts electronically or physically receiving cash.
May work in a call centre.
Issues tickets and prepares summaries of transactions.
Checks details and numbers on winning betting tickets against those in betting ledgers and electronic records, before paying out money on winning tickets.
Monitors amounts of money placed on race entrants.
Records and enters bets electronically and in transaction ledgers.
Answers betting inquiries over the telephone, via email and in person.

Employment Opportunities for a Bookmaker's Clerk

Bookmakers' clerks may work for any licensed bookmaker in their state or territory at racing, trotting or greyhound associations. Positions are mostly casual and turnover is quite high. With experience and sufficient capital, bookmakers' clerks may start their own bookmaking business.

Specializations

Betting Agency Counter Clerk (Seller)

A betting agency counter clerk (seller) handles customer bets, payments and payouts in person for horse and dog racing, and other competitive sporting or recreation events.

Telephone Betting Clerk (Call Centre Operator)

A telephone betting clerk (call centre operator) records customer bets and telephone betting account details over the phone for horse and dog racing, and other competitive sporting or recreation events.

Bookmaker's Clerk

Bookmaker's clerks take bets from customers at betting agencies or bookmakers' stands, or over the phone, and assist bookmakers to provide betting services at race meetings.