The 35-year-old, who cannot be named, was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court on Thursday over the two armed robberies.

The serial criminal, who has been dealt with for 71 offences in the past, spent days planning each of the robberies, waiting and observing staff movements to pick the best time to strike.

In each case, he and his co-offender wore masks and entered the premises late at night or early in the morning.

They robbed the Erindale Vikings club in the early hours of the morning in July 2009, waiting until the cleaners had entered the club and disarmed the alarm.

They tied up two cleaners using cable ties, before smashing open poker machines to get to the cash trays inside.

The pair caused about $90,300 worth of damage, but only managed to get away with $748.

The next month, the two offenders targeted the Wanniassa Newsagency.

Early in the morning of August 16, 2009, they entered through the businesses' back door as the newsagent was sorting out the morning papers.

The masked men demanded the victim lie on the floor, before tying him up with cable ties and stealing his car.

They made off with a collection of magazines, cigarettes, and a small amount of money.

He was not sentenced specifically for the newsagency robbery, but the crime was taken into account by the court in deciding the severity of his punishment.

In 2010, they waited until Cox Plate Day to rob an ACTTAB branch in Wanniassa, believing it would be holding a large amount of cash.

The 35-year-old took a sawn-off rifle, which was unable to be fired, and rode pushbikes to the betting branch.

The men, again masked, confronted a security guard and ordered him inside the branch.

They then told the employee to let them behind the counter, before demanding he open two safes.

The pair escaped with more than $46,000.

The offender was eventually arrested in June 2011, but waited until the first day of his trial in 2013 to plead guilty to the two aggravated robberies.

The court heard he decided to plead guilty to avoid his son having to give evidence.

In sentencing the offender, Acting Justice John Nield said his crimes had caused "substantial emotional injury" to the victims.

One suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, turned to alcohol, barricaded himself in his room, broke up with his girlfriend, and considered suicide.

Justice Nield said he had difficulty accepting the offender regretted his crimes.

"Frankly, I doubt he has given a moment's thought to what he did to the victims," he said.

He said the offender "must be reminded loudly and clearly that repeat offending will not be tolerated".

Justice Nield sentenced him to 11 years and one month jail, starting from January 5, 2014 and ending on February 4, 2025.

The offender will be eligible for parole in January 2020.