The idea of so many RRs before you can play for credits seems a solid safeguard, and easy to implement. Won't solve everything but a good weapon.
Verification does not seem to be making much difference, just going by those couple of accounts mentioned. I am not verified and see no reason to push for this as I can't see anything in return. If I ever jag a sweepstakes something they can have my details with pleasure.
That new tier is something I support, and if done correctly could encourage genuine players IMO. Other threads laying down my thought's on that. By definition it would also serve as another anti cheat / multi mechanism IMO.
As I see it WGT are doing about the very minimum they must do to stave off compliance audits. Nothing they have offered so far seeks to address any cause, just deal with a few symptoms in a minimalist way.
The short term profits without regard to the long run is something more than one even large corporation has regretted before, but IMO that's a gamble WGT are taking. In fairness flash is not helpful for any of this, and it's unreasonable to expect that platform to change over night.
Corporate decisions to be made, but from a players perspective this place needs to be treated for what it is if you are wise. Shame, but where it is at IMO.