I think you'll find the players that have won millions at poker won the majority from tournaments with large pools. The thing to keep in mind is that in poker you are mostly playing against other players and it is a bit of a game of deception.
Poker is huge and you'll find it anywhere in the world so if you can find a good way to make money from it you aren't going to be short of casino.
Whether it is better to be anonymous or a celebrity would depend on the people you are playing against.
It could go either way with people wanting to play a celebrity, or wanting to avoid someone that is likely to kick their butts