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...