Richard4168:
This may have been mentioned already, and I'm not defending WGT. But I don't see how WGT was making any money selling high dollar gift cards to all the credit grinders who don't spend real cash to enter Ready-Go's.
WGTniv said he had invested only $1 in this game and until recently was on the top 5 all-time money earners leader-board since 2009.
This is the definition of a straw man argument. Misrepresenting a view point in order to easily debunk it.
You seem to be implying that wgtniv's experience of a paltry investment with an outrageous return is the norm. It's not.
But even if wgtniv's experience was commonplace and all the top earners invested zero dollars in their game in return for enough credits to buy gift cards, you're still ignoring that the credits won have to come from somewhere.
The majority of the credit pool is purchased by people who will never win anything. People who put $20 or $30 into their account, buy some imaginary balls, purchase an imaginary wedge, try their hand at a few ready goes, lose, and move on.
All the while, WGT is removing credits from the pool through equipment upgrades, diminishing ball life, and a 20% rake in tournaments and match play.
The pool is being constantly fed by a stream of mediocrity.
If WGT offered gift cards at a 1:1 ratio, they would still be in the black due to credit evaporation.
If half a dozen out of the several million players actually get something tangible worth more than their total investment, it is still advantageous because it is a carrot for the rest of the players.
As it is now, only the stick remains. Short sighted and dumb.