Another thing that fueled the fire was the telegram message (at the usual drop time) which just promoted a new casino game instead of the release of the post monthly. Felt a bit like next level trolling if you ask me.

I completely understand what you mean but we also have to understand it from a different side, new games and bonuses are managed by different teams so actually it wasn't something intentional. I suspect if the bonus is forced to be distributed on Friday there is a possibility that it will impact the weekly bonus for example miss calculation or link error, if you remember in the last 2 weeks there was a problem with the weekly bonus link which not work for some users well maybe this is one of the things to avoid.
I agree with @xLays even though we have to wait until Monday it is clear that the bonus is already on the schedule and one more thing we don't have many competitors to claim the drop code next Saturday

Well, I don't really care to be honest. I didn't wager big so my bonus is small anyway. I don't deposit anymore until I finally get some sort of offer again. Once you get to platinum 6 the jump to diamond is WAYYY too high. From 5 to 6 u have to wager 5 million, from p6 to diamond 1 you have to wager 15 million, that's insanity and pretty much excludes me from level up bonuses. Without level up goals and reduced reloads (50% since last year) all that's left is the weekly and monthly, but those are also not what they were in the past.

The trolling is just the last drop that at some point is the final push you need to get away from the site unfortunately.
Also, my host also has become increasingly useless so I pretty much left stake so to speak.
So true, I am facing the same situation more or less on stake. The only difference is I am playing poker a lot on stake, because of instant cashout feature and low level of competition compared to other platforms. I am a couple of levels behind you at stake's VIP ladder since I started late (my guess only) and I am feeling the wagering requirements are way too high so at your level it is almost impossible if you are not a degenerate gambling addict who will sell his house for leveling up