Legalised theft, anyone?

What a crock. These guys REALLY know how to take your money. The idea is awesome, but I feel so *****ed with cash-outs that are less than my remaining balance. I get the fact that I have to pay an "activation fee" - I'm a capitalist - but that i have to now get less than my remaining balance on cash-out? No, not on. And I cannot use the same tag for other events? Now I sit with a bunch of howler cards and tags, each one worth nothing, but I have to "activate" a new one for the new event? And it's not as if I have a choice in the matter, I like music shows. and I'm over a barrel: either give in to the ******ion that is Howler, or go hungry.

Is it even legal to force someone to use something that is not legal tender for something that is legal trade?