Firefighters found the boy in a van outside the Silver Dollar Casino in Calgary. (CBC)A Calgary father who left his toddler alone in a van outside a casino in March has been sentenced to house arrest.

The man, who can't be named under Alberta law to protect the identity of his child, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to an offence under the province's Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act.

Provincial court Judge Sean Dunnigan handed the single father a 12-month conditional sentence, which includes three months of house arrest, during which he can still go to work, and six months with a curfew.

"It is of great concern to the court and to the public when a child is left in such precarious circumstance," said Dunnigan. "What you did that day was simply unacceptable and could have resulted in much, much more serious consequences for your child."

The judge also imposed a 12-month ban on gambling in casinos, bingo halls or any place with video lottery terminals.

"I think the sentence imposed was a very fair and appropriate one," said defence lawyer Mark Gottlieb. "My client realizes he made an error in judgment and has entered a guilty plea and has expressed great remorse over his actions."

Gottlieb said his client is a good, loving father who has regained custody of his child.

"This was an isolated incident. My client has indicated that it will not be repeated in the future. And he will not be entering the casino in the future."

More than $2M lost

The father covers his face with a jacket as he leaves court Thursday. (CBC)According to court statements, the 52-year-old father is a pathological gambler who has lost more than $2 million since moving to Canada 13 years ago.

In March, he went to the Silver Dollar Casino, in the 1000 block of 42 Avenue S.E. He didn't have a babysitter, so he took his 21-month-old boy along. He checked on the child periodically and never left him alone in the van for more than 50 minutes, Gottlieb said.

Casino staff called police after hearing a child crying inside a van.

Firefighters reached the boy just after midnight. The child was strapped in his car seat, covered in vomit. His feet and hands were cold to the touch and he was only wearing light pyjamas, with no shoes or socks. The temperature was –9 C. The windows of the van were covered with blankets.

The man is set to return to court in December to face a criminal charge of child endangerment.