Tote operator
Also known as: tote manager, tote technician, advanced tote operator
About this occupation
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.
Essential skills and knowledge
- configuration of the tote room hardware
- horse racing regulation
- sports competition information
- follow ethical code of conduct of gambling
- maintain equipment
- calculate tote price
- maintain customer service
- tote reports
- operate tote board
- set up tote board
- parimutuel betting
- process data
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Gambling Dealers (O*NET 39-3011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Pay winnings or collect losing bets as established by the rules and procedures of a specific game.
- Greet customers and make them feel welcome.
- Exchange paper currency for playing chips or coin money.
- Check to ensure that all players have placed bets before play begins.
- Inspect cards and equipment to be used in games to ensure that they are in good condition.
- Deal cards to house hands, and compare these with players' hands to determine winners, as in black jack.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Conventional, Enterprising, Realistic
Top skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Monitoring
US median pay: US$34,320 a year (2025), 83,910 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners
- Gambling Managers
- First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers
- Gambling Cage Workers
- Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers
- Tellers
- Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators
- Cashiers
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants
- Retail Salespersons
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.