It's hit or miss for me. Supposedly I should be able to get 7 free gold per day, but often the videos won't load. I have bought gold before, and I don't think that would turn off the feature.
I have a lot of blue and gold tickets, but no pink. Can't seem to stock up on those at all. I agree with the prizes -- not much of any use. I get the gold, and sometime the boosts (if I have pink tickets). I am having trouble getting higher than 1140 in rank. Just can't hit that 1200 mark!