Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

Betting shops are licensed to take bets from customers or 'punters' on sporting events such as horse races, greyhound races and football matches. They also take bets on non-sporting events such as the result of a General Election or snow falling on Christmas Day. Most betting shops are relatively small workplaces employing, on average, about five people.  
 
Managers supervise staff, organise work schedules and recruit and train new staff. The manager must make sure that the shop is run efficiently and is kept secure, in order to make a profit.  
 
The bookmaker determines the betting odds for most events in advance. In a betting shop that is part of a chain, these are sent and published by a central office. Managers may be allowed to lay odds on special bets for regular customers. If it is a highly unusual bet or the amount of the prise money is particularly high, the manager has to telephone the racing director for clearance to accept the bet.  
 
It is the responsibility of the manager to make sure all winning bets are settled quickly. This involves calculating the correct winning amounts. Often, the calculations are complex. The manager must also handle any complaints arising from customers and make sure that the shop is, at all times, operating within regulations laid down by law.  
 
Betting shops are part of the leisure industry. It is the job of the manager to encourage people to use their shop. They do this by making customers feel welcome and relaxed, and also discussing betting opportunities with them.

The betting shop manager also has a duty of care towards customers and may need to refuse some customers at risk of developing a gambling addiction, and refer them to appropriate support services.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Remove suspected cheaters, such as card counters or other players who may have systems that shift the odds of winning to their favor.
• Circulate among gaming tables to ensure that operations are conducted properly, that dealers follow house rules, or that players are not cheating.
• Explain and interpret house rules, such as game rules or betting limits.
• Track supplies of money to tables and perform any required paperwork.
• Resolve customer complaints regarding problems, such as payout errors.
• Market or promote the casino to bring in business.
• Prepare work schedules and station arrangements and keep attendance records.
• Set and maintain a bank and table limit for each game.
• Maintain familiarity with all games used at a facility, as well as strategies or tricks employed in those games.
• Monitor staffing levels to ensure that games and tables are adequately staffed for each shift, arranging for staff rotations and breaks and locating substitute employees as necessary.

Further Information

• Betting Shop Manager - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Betting Shop Manager - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

There may be many pathways to develop towards this career. Relevant management experience and customer service skills are more important. An interest in sport of finance is preferable, but not always essential.

Many Betting shop managers have started out working as a cashier or assistant in a betting shop and progress to a management role after some years’ experience.

You may choose to go into ‘remote’ betting, i.e. Telephone, Mobile, or online betting or you may want to be an ‘on-course bookmaker’ which requires both a betting licence and considerable experience and skills. Being conscious of marketing, management, and balanced ethical practice are key in retail betteing. 

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Customer service, Accounting Technician, Management in centres around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Retail, Commerce, and Accounting at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Finance, Sales, Retail Supervision Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-8 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Business, Commerce/ E-Commerce, Economics, Retail management, Maths & Statistics, Accounts & Finance at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search our CAO coursefinder

Postgraduate Study Options Sales, Business, Accounts, Marketing. Management, Financial advice post grad courses at NFQ level 9

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €50k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel / Indeed/ Glassdoor

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly for this occupation, particularly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,800 persons employed. This growth is in line with the recent employment growth in the wholesale/retail sector.

The share of non-Irish citizens, at 29%, was higher than the national average of 19%. The number of jobs advertised online (OVATE) grew strongly (10%) for this occupation in the year to 2022, although the fall in adverts in the most recent quarterly data suggests a slowdown in demand.

• Irish Bookmakers Association

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