Zaladane already told you what gil is for, you earn it by posting outside the Hangout.
As for points, have a look at the Experience tab to have an idea of what it is. Here's how you get points:
http://www.epforums.org/xperience.php?go=earn
It may or not be pointless depending on who we ask, it's kinda subjective ;)
Tripe Triad has been one of our features for quite some time, it's good to have it back. And I fail to see what's so funny, it's like having the Arcade games or the Casino.
In any case, it's not that someone is forcing you to play or use anything...