Kenneth Brown, 53, struck in New Cross Road, New Cross, south-east London on March 11 and twice on March 17.
He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to one count of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.
He was sentenced to four years and eight months imprisonment.
Brown entered the first shop at around 6.45am and handed the cashier a handwritten note which read: “Give me the money – or I will blow your head off.”
Brown simultaneously had his right hand in his pocket and was pointing it at the member of staff – intimating that he had a gun or weapon.
He made off with a small amount of cash.
Brown returned to the same betting shop six days later just after 7.00pm and verbally demanded money, again intimating that he had a weapon in his pocket.
The member of staff activated the emergency button and Brown left the shop empty-handed.
Around ten minutes later, he entered another bookmakers on the same road.
Again he handed a note to the person behind the counter, demanding money and making threats.
The two staff members escaped to the back office and Brown left the store.
Police were called and armed officers attended and were given a suspect description.
Within twenty minutes of the offence happening and after a brief area search officers located Brown.
He was arrested and taken into custody.
Detective Constable Dennis Valdez, from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad, said: “These were terrifying incidents for the workers who were threatened by Brown.
“Armed officers were at the scene of the final robbery attempt within minutes.
“Brown was located in the area and detained very quickly, and he was linked to the previous robbery offences shortly after.
“The seriousness of the offences is reflected in the custodial sentences handed down.”
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