Although I have read that knowledgeable video poker players can make money on comps and not lose too much or even make a little I don’t think he could make much money on video poker. Very unlikely.
That is why I think that he 'washed' money from 'ill gotten gains', and was not a heavy better.
His intent was to wash the money at the casino and get additional complimentary credits, not necessarily to win more money, as most other people would try to do.
Don't forget that he had used "complementary credits" to secure several of his room rentals .