Quoted from CrazyLevi:

This is a legit point, but I don't believe the IFPA has ever made "growing pinball" it's mission - that's more PAPA (the Professional AND AMATEUR Pinball Association). Fewer players on the rolls, but a higher percentage of "serious" players, could be considered a success. For instance, the PGA would grow by leaps and bounds if anybody with a Nine Iron could be a "pro golfer," but it wouldn't necessarily improve the product or the competition, and in fact would damage the credibility of the organization.

Quoted from yancy:

Have you been to a charity dinner? The butcher, baker, produce purveyor, chefs, wait staff, bus boys & dishwashers are getting paid. Charities gladly pay those bills because people want something when they show up to donate. Sometimes you gotta spend money to raise money. People aren't perfectly altruistic. Or maybe I'm wrong and charity tourney attendance won't drop if WPPRs aren't awarded.

Quoted from 85vett:

Isn't one of the rules that the event must be public and open to everyone thus not qualifying for points?