No it isn't like that at all. These players paid money to get a shot at qualifying for the ToC. Three players got in without paying money, thereby reducing the value of what the other players earned.

Imagine you have a job. You get your paycheck, you go to the bank, cash some of it and put it in your wallet. Now imagine that I am standing next to you and take 500 dollars out of your wallet.

That is what it's like.