Data that shows true state of the game - smurfs / boosters in 95% of Silver / Gold games
In Gold / Silver, when the game starts, the only question is: who has more (better) smurfs / boosters on their side. Actual new or low-level players are the vast minority.
Riot has data on this, of course, but doesn't publish it - or have YOU seen any "how many people actually play" data recently? Of course not... since it shows that all the accounts are from the same people who smurf / boost all day.
And while it is technically simple to get rid of these accounts, for obvious (money) reasons, Riot does not want to. Better have ANYBODY play, right?