Martin Kwang Lee, 45, of Lowry Crescent, Mitcham, and two others were arrested for "Top hatting" - a roulette scam.

The trick saw the men drop concealed chips on to winning numbers, once the roulette wheel had been spun, under cover of asking to change cash for chips.

Lee and another man were arrested in October 2003 at Gala Casino in Russell Square, where staff spotted the scam.

Police had to use the Gaming Act, a 160-year-old law, to bring the three men to court.

This is believed to be the first ever time the act has been used in this way.

The trio pleaded guilty and Lee was fined ?170 with a 180-hour community punishment order and the other men were ordered to pay ?880 and given community rehabiliation orders at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court on Tuesday, August 2.

The Met's Clubs and Vice Gaming Unit arrested the men.

Detective Constable John Wedger said: "This was a well thought through and skillful cheating scam. They were prolific gamblers and used numerous identities to gain access to casinos from which they had been banned.

"Credit must be given to the casino's security staff as it was their vigilance and investigation that ensured the scam was spotted early.

"As a result of their suspicions we carried out a thorough investigation to provide the evidence which led to their guilty pleas."