Betting shop cashier
Betting shop cashiers work in high street bookmakers' shops, serving customers and handling bets.
Average annual salary (starting - experienced): £13,000 - £45,000
Typical hours (a week): 38 - 40
How to become a betting shop cashier
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You may be able to start by doing a qualification that could help you to find work.
Relevant qualifications include:
- Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service
- Level 2 Certificate in the Structure of the Horseracing Industry
College (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
Apprenticeship
You can get into this job through a retailer intermediate apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship (Entry requirements)
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Direct application
You can apply directly to bookmakers. Experience in retail sales, customer service and handling cash would be helpful. You'll usually need GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths. Some employers may include a maths test as part of their recruitment process.
What it takes
Skills & Knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- to be flexible and open to change
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- maths knowledge
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restriction & Requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 18 years of age
What you'll do
Day to day
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- welcoming customers and offering refreshments
- explaining odds and different ways of betting
- using computerised systems to take bets and pay out winnings
- making sure the satellite TV, video and digital display systems are working
- keeping the shop clean and tidy and stocked with betting slips, pens and odds sheets
- giving information about products like gaming machines
- reporting any suspicious betting patterns or under-age gambling to the shop manager
- balancing takings after the shop closes for the day
Working environment
You could work at a store. You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
Career path & progression
With experience, you may be able to progress to assistant manager, deputy manager or shop manager. From there you could move on to managing multiple shops. You could also choose to go into telephone, mobile or online betting. If you have language skills, you may find opportunities in overseas betting.
