Man admits stealing $125k of casino chips

A gambler has admitted stealing $125,000 worth of gaming chips from Melbourne's Crown Casino.

Gunawan Akay, 38, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to the theft of 25 gaming chips, valued at $5000 each, from Melbourne's Crown Casino on December 23 last year.

A baccarat dealer told police she was working in the casino's exclusive Maple room fixing up the chip float when the chips were taken right in front of her.

"This hand came over and I looked up. The chips went and I screamed," she said in her witness statement.

"They have obviously seen a weak moment."

The thief fled after the incident, witnesses alleged.

The incident was captured on CCTV and casino staff recognised Akay as the thief.

He was arrested four days later.

Police are yet to recover any of the chips.

Akay pleaded guilty to theft in Melbourne Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear at a County Court plea hearing in July.