Ah, this is starting to make sense to me. No more gift cards... so more people can play in other states because the lawyers can fight over the legalese. Seeing that there are no (WGT-sanctioned) ways to cash credits out, players in more states are likely eligible for Ready-Go tourneys under the applicable laws.
Still a very bad idea to remove those gift cards in my opinion, but this is the kind of thing that happens when... never mind.
Pizza, I sent you a friend request because I have a bit more to say about this but would prefer to not do so in a public forum. Let me know if you are in the actual WGT offices--I'll buy you lunch. Seriously, just tell me how many credits. :)