Betting shop manager

Betting shop managers plan, organise, co-ordinate and direct the activities of a betting shop. Tending to every aspect of the day-to-day running of betting shops, they spend a significant amount of time on the shop floor liaising and working with staff and customers. They may also carry out cashier duties and be involved in the development of a team of cashiers, while working to ensure the profitability of the shop as a business.

In addition to being responsible for all areas of management including sales, staff and resource management, they are responsible for good levels of customer service and for ensuring the profitability of the shop as a business.

Work activities

• Keeping accurate records of profits, losses and takings.
• Recruiting, training, and supervising staff.
• Dealing with customer queries and complaints.
• Maximising profitability and meeting sales targets.
• Ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation/industry regulations.
• Promoting and marketing the business.
• Shop presentation and security.
• Managing budgets and maintaining statistical and financial records.

Work conditions

Travel: during working day is not frequent unless managing several shops.
Location: mainly in towns or cities throughout the country.
Opportunities for self-employment: possible.

Typical employers

Large licensed betting offices/bookmaker chains such as Boylesports and Paddy Power operating throughout Ireland and in the UK. Positions also exist with independent shops and small chains.

salaries

Salaries vary according to employers, location and experience.

Entry requirements

Open to non-graduates and graduates of all disciplines.

Other relevant degree subjects

• Accounting
• Business
• Finance
• Leisure management
• Management
• Mathematics
• Retail management
• Statistics.

Postgraduate study

A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not a requirement.

Specific entry requirements

While an interest in sport is preferable it is not always essential. However, experience of customer service in a cash-based environment may be required.

Training

Mainly in-house, on the job training. Some of the larger operations run dedicated graduate programmes.

Tips for applications

Gain experience as much relevant experience as you can. Opportunities exist for part-time work though any experience of customer service in a cash-based environment will be most useful.

Skills and qualities

• Excellent numeracy skills - capable of working quickly and accurately.
• Excellent interpersonal and conversational skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Scrupulously honest and reliable.
• Tact is required when dealing with awkward customers and genuine complaints.

Labour market information

Betting companies in Ireland are continuing to hire. While the recession has inevitably taken effect on gambling revenue in Ireland, some of the major operators appear to be holding their own and continue to expand aspects of their operations.

Licensed Betting Offices have seen their share of the overall national betting market fall from 91% in 1999 to an estimated 50% in 2007. At the same time, telephone, internet, egaming.com sites, betting exchanges, mobile betting and private members clubs have all grown substantially and are now estimated to be the biggest growth areas in the betting industry.