Tote operator

A tote operator processes the bets placed through the tote on course. Tote Operators need appropriate accreditation which comes with being employed by the Tote. This is a service that is only available on race days, so people in these roles usually have another job as well. This may include working at a local Tote as the same accreditation is required. The tote operator receives bets orally and cashes winning tickets after correct weight, so he needs excellent cash handling skills

Tote operators run the day-to-day functions of the tote operation at a horse race track, such as tote system data entry and verification, prepare the reports for the racetrack office, assist the forwarding of company equipment and spare parts. They maintain, operate and troubleshoot tote boards and auxiliary odds boards. They operate the communication tools used at the racetrack. They install, tear down and maintain equipment.

The Tote is UK and Irish horse racing’s best-known example of pool betting, also called parimutuel betting, from the French for ‘mutual betting’. Pool betting works by adding up all the money that’s been bet on a race or other event, and using the total to pay out to all those who made the winning selection, or chose a winning combination.

Therefore, the Tote return depends on the prize pool and the number of winners as opposed to the player’s stake, and whilst fixed-odds betting gives the player a guaranteed chance of winning a fixed amount of money, the Tote effectively turns his selections into a lottery ticket.

The Tote gets its name from the ‘totalisator’– an early mechanical computer of sorts, that was designed in the early 20th century and used to add up the number and value of bets on a race. The UK Tote was introduced in 1928 as a state-owned bookmaker by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, Winston Churchill, and for many years was the UK’s sole pool betting operator, before being sold to private operators in 2011. Tote Ireland is owned by the Irish industry’s governing body, Horse Racing Ireland.

As part of their day-to-day work, tote operators can:

• Read reports related to horserace betting and interpret the information.
• Install and configure the tote board used to display information relevant to tote betting at an event.
• Maintain customer service – Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Follow the rules and ethical code used in gambling, betting and lottery. Keep the entertainment of players in mind.
• Operate tote board – either manually or using software such as Autotote.
• Process data – Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.

Tote operators usually work at a betting store, in an office or at a race track. They may also work outdoors in all weathers.

Increasingly, betting takes place online. In that case, tote operators work indoors on a computer.

The following job titles also refer to tote operator:

tote technician
advanced tote operator
tote manager

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as tote operator. However, it is essential to be good at mathematics, and be quick at calculations, in order to work out odds, payments and percentage, and explain them to customers.

In most countries, betting is reserved for adults. Therefore, tote operators must be over 18 of age (or 21, depending on local legislation).

For the same reason, in some countries, a license may be required to become a tote operator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Tote operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to tote operator.

bookmaker
bingo caller
odds compiler
lottery operator
consumer electronics repair technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of tote operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of tote operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

• gaming inspector
• betting manager
• gambling manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of tote operator.

• Horse racing regulation: Regulations related to the maintenance of the health and welfare of the racehorse and rider. This means that the trainers and jockeys meet certain requirements and that horse races run properly and fairly.
• Parimutuel betting: Betting systems where bets are placed together in a pool.
• Sports competition information
• Tote reports: Read reports related to horserace betting and interpret the information.
• Configuration of the tote room hardware: The functions of various pieces of tote room hardware, the settings and their usage cases.
• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

These skills are necessary for the role of tote operator.

• Operate tote board: Operate a tote board, either manually or using software such as Autotote.
• Follow ethical code of conduct of gambling: Follow the rules and ethical code used in gambling, betting and lottery. Keep the entertainment of players in mind.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Calculate tote price: Calculate the current dividend pay-out on the event of an outcome happening.
• Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Set up tote board: Install and the tote board used to display information relevant to tote betting at an event.
• Process data: Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of tote operator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Games rules: Set of principles and rules that govern a game

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of tote operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Coach employees: Maintain and improve employees’ performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited employees and assist them in the learning of new business systems.
• Remove cheating players: Detect and expel suspected cheating players
• Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
• Apply knowledge of human behaviour: Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
• Provide customer follow-up services: Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.
• Train employees: Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

4212 – Bookmakers, croupiers and related gaming workers

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References

• How does Tote betting work? – Timeform
• Tote Board – Wikipedia
• ESCO
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics