Canberra Casino cheat Manwinder Arora could hardly compare himself to Danny Ocean, of Ocean's Eleven fame.
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The Hawker man was caught stealing chips worth $700 by "sleight of hand" and trickery from Canberra Casino.
But Arora's clumsy crime could not match the size, scale, and sophistication of the Hollywood blockbuster.
And, unlike the characters in the famed sting, he was caught.
Arora, 35, pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to one count of cheating Canberra Casino.
He appeared for sentence before Magistrate Peter Dingwall on Tuesday.
The court heard Arora and a friend went to the Civic casino in November 2013.
While he played roulette, he would discreetly remove chips of losing bets before the dealer could collect.
He would also place wagers after the dealer had called "no more bets".
Arora fled after the dealer noticed his chip had been removed and asked casino surveillance to conduct a review of footage.
He returned on December 9 and continued the scam. But he was recognised by casino staff, who called police.
Arora signed a banning notice to exclude him from entering the casino for five years.
He made a number of admissions to police.
Defence lawyer Paul Edmonds said his client had repaid the $700 and apologised to the casino.
Mr Edmonds argued Arora had committed the offences during a bout of depression he suffered at the break-up of a relationship.
The court heard the offender had completed a law degree and been admitted to the ACT Supreme Court, but did not yet hold a practising certificate.
Mr Edmonds argued the magistrate should grant a section 17 – which would mean a conviction would not be recorded – so Arora's career prospects would not be affected.
The prosecution acknowledged the effect a conviction would have on the offender's future work but said that would be the penalty for breaking the law.
Mr Dingwall said there had been evidence of planning before the offences, but labelled it "highly unsophisticated".
"It was bound to be detected," he said.
The magistrate said evidence of Arora's mental illness did not provide a defence or justification. But he accepted the behaviour had been unusual and out-of-character.
Mr Dingwall also took into account the casino had been repaid and changes Arora had made to his life to ensure he would not reoffend, including quitting alcohol and cutting off negative peer associations.
He granted the non-conviction order, but ordered the offender sign an 18-month good behaviour order, pay a $750 security, and $123 in court costs.
The prosecution offered no evidence on a second charge.
