I'm not saying there's any truth behind this, but here's an "outside the box" perspective.
Did anyone ever think WGT might actually WANT to get rid of the top earners? What would even be their incentive for keeping them around. Prestige? Gratidude for helping to make this site what it is now and their loyalty? When a huge apartment or an office building is finished, do you still have need for the people who built it's foundations or the architect who designed it? No, you need rent paying tennants, not people who live in the penthouse for free.
When was the last time that any of the top earners actually put some real money in this game? I suspect it's been a while. So in time they either cash in for a gift card (cost WGT real cash) or gift a lot of gear to others, who in turn have to put less of their real cash in the game (again, they cost WGT money).
Sure, they pay the rake, but again, they don't use cash to do it. And every other week WGT mods need to deal with accusations and complaints of cheating or preferential treatment regarding people who shoot in the low or mid 50s. Why bother? I'm sure much more people would be buying credits and using them for entry fees if they felt they actually had at least a slight chance in hell they won't lose money if they score a 62, therefore more rake for WGT to collect.
Could the last few updates (combined with new and wonderful ways for buying credits)have been a step towards what I wrote above?
Again, I'm only throwing a bone to chew on here and my sincerest hope is that none of this is even remotly close to the truth. But any feedback from the community would be greatly appreciated. I basically wish you all tell me I make no sense with my train of thought.
Jure
Edit: I just read some less expensive merchandise will arrive to the elite collection shortly, so all could still turn out good.