I think this is making it out to be more dangerous that it really is. There are video games (car racing comes to mind) where the player competes in a race/competition and if he wins, he gets to buy/upgrade his equipment and then he races again and repeats the process.

This kid is getting a bit more reality in his gaming.

Isn't there a WSOP video game? I wonder what it's like and whether playing that or online poker for real money carries more risk.