Chris Burville, 31, pleaded guilty in Wollongong Local Court to making a false report to police, which resulted in an investigation on January 21 this year.

He had told his wife he had been robbed of all his money and she suggested he report the matter to police.

"As a result of the false report, many hours of time and police resources have been utilised," the police facts before the court said.

Burville, unemployed, reported to police that he had been chased from Globe Lane in Wollongong by three young males who threatened to hit him with a skateboard.

They caught up with him in MacCabe Park, where they knocked him to the ground and took $300 from his wallet, he said.

Burville told police he walked around town "in a daze" before he met up with a friend at City Diggers for one beer. He told police he did not go into the poker machine area.

Police checked CCTV footage in both Globe Lane and the club, which showed him walking from the lane to the club, where he spent six hours on the poker machines and drinking alcohol.

"He said he had a gambling problem and didn't want to tell his wife as he didn't want her aware of the problem," police said.

Solicitor Melia Mullard said her client had a clean record and recognised he needed counselling.

However, her plea for a no-conviction bond was rejected.

"He told police he had been robbed, which led to a serious investigation," magistrate Michael Stoddart said.

He placed Burville on a two-year good behaviour bond with a condition he seek gambling counselling.