Something that only has a 1 in 1000 chance of death might seem like a small risk, but if you take that risk every day you will have a 30% chance of dying within a year
As an example, if you would pay $100 to extend your healthy life by one day (I know I would), that means each healthy day of your life you have ahead of you should be worth at least $100 to you. Assuming you have 10 years left of healthy life, your life ought to be worth at least 10×360×100=$360,000 to you. So a 1/1000 chance of death costs you 1/1000 * $360,000 = $360.
Of course "time == money" is a well known axiom, but it was still odd to consider in that context.
Also figure in this being hard work, as it requires your full attention.
The pay just wasn't that good, and besides, the casinos will ban you when they figure out you're counting.
So that wasn't for me. Instead, I invest in the stock market, where "buy and forget" is not much work, and the odds are much better.
Most people who are in a position to make a career out of poker decide that it's not worth it and remain (very good) recreational players. Casinos can be fun places to visit, and tournaments can be a lot of fun, but I wouldn't want to make them a fixture of my life.