Last year surveillance cameras at the Barona Casino caught Karas putting “subtle but distinguishable marks on the backs of playing cards,” so he could identify each card’s value before it was turned over, prosecutors said. Karas, a Greek immigrant who became a professional poker player, high roller and pool shark, gained international fame for turning $50 into $40 million during a winning streak that started in 1992. “He can go back to Vegas as soon as (the Probation Department) says he can go back,” the judge said, indicating Karas would have to follow an established procedure to transfer his supervision to another state. His lawyer, Jonathan Jordan, asked whether Karas would be able to return to his home in Nevada while on probation.

Karas did not make a statement to a judge during the brief hearing.