Been there, done that, when younger ! There's always Fremont Street, that lovely area between the El Cortez and Eastern !
I remember meeting the guy, big guy as I recall ( if I have right person in mind) he should be able to survive doing some sort of construction, security, bouncing, or something until the right thing comes along, not sure what he does by choice.
He could try playing weak poker games ( if a decent poker player), get into dealing, drive a cab, bartender/back, waiter, busboy,be a pimp, etc. There's always SHIT retail work to keep you going in neutral for awhile.
Vegas is fun, but jobs are service-oriented, not much manufacturing type stuff.
Contacts from here might help get you in somewhere.
Good Luck, I did my time there, and wouldn't move back, especially since it's over-priced ( homes, rents) there now.
I'd go somewhere more peaceful like Colorado, Canada, or warmer ( than Illinois) like NC,SC, even Fla ( gotta be tons of construction there, if that's your bag).