What does it mean here to ”cut box”?

[mrghd]

(source: Iceberg Slim: Pimp – The story of my life)

In the novel, Slim visits his old friend in a pub and gambling joint. They sit down and start talking .The old stud works there and when the boss shows up he becomes nervous and quickly closes the conversation. Slim has never seen the boss, thus he asks his old friend why he became so upset when the man came in. May be that man is a cop?

The answer is:

”Oh no. He is the owner of the joint, come to check the bankroll and cut box.”

So what is ’cut box’ here?

Thanks in advance

[BobK]

No idea, for sure. Maybe it means 'collect his cut [=share] of the box-office receipts'

b

[mrghd]

By this box-office association I got to an idea. As far as I know it is usual in pubs (restaurants etc.) that the manager or the owner comes even more times a day and takes the income out leaving only so little money in the counter that is just enough to manage the daily turnover. This way the majority of the income can get to a secure place. (In a bank or safe) and there is no risk of losing it by thiefs, robbers, fire...etc. Do You think "cut box" may refer to this practice?

[BobK]

This sounds to me quite probable.

b

[Tdol]

Sounds plausible to me too.