Second hand smokers need not apply, first hand is what it takes to succeed. He also gets the ability to walk away whenever he needs a break, for as long as he wants. He has a captive audience who has to listen to his latest feelings on Obama or Big Foot. And a surprisingly amount of random encounters that result in sex.
He used to drive taxi, then Uber for about the same take home. But what really makes him stay with video poker is the free gifts from the Casio (swag mostly), and the ~ 100 senior citizen ladies he romantically encounters each year.