Pay-to-play games aren't bad. Bengal was defending it as well. Don't want to play? Don't participate. It's not that difficult of a concept to grasp.
"Gambling" and casino games of course are going to be pay-to-play, that's a bit self-explanatory. But cute or boot and falling chairs? I don't think it's necessary, but if people were to make it pay-to-play I wouldn't get upset over it, unless of course you had to pay rares. If I were to host pay to play games, I would allow people to give me even a frying pan. Rares for gambling games is acceptable in my opinion, because it's gambling - that's how you do it.
There's plenty of other games that you can play, so don't get worked up over it. I'm a cheap person so I know how you feel, but tough noogies. Cheap people want riches so they'll do just anything to get it. Cough.. pay to play.
If you don't want to get scammed, have a sharp eye. It's not difficult to avoid scams, unless you are very oblivious.