The Tim Donaghy story seems to be back in the news.

And we have some lingering questions about the restrictions placed on NBA officials.

According to the New York Times, NBA policy states that refs are not allowed to visit or attend “any racetrack, off-track betting establishment, casino or gambling establishment of any kind.”

So do officials have to pitch tents when they’re in Vegas for Olympic basketball competition, NBA Summer League, or last year’s NBA All Star Game? Or is the policy serve as a guaranteed upgrade to the Four Seasons, the lone Vegas hotel without any gambling?

The Times continues, “During the off-season, referees are permitted to bet at racetracks or attend shows at casinos, as long as they do not enter a casino gaming area.”

But are refs allowed to bet on the horses in the simulcast center of a casino? Are they allowed to attend racetracks that have slots, video poker, or poker, which likely make up the majority of horse tracks these days?

Seems like an outdated policy in today’s racino envirnoment.

Why are the refs banned from being in a casino? You want to see outrage, give the players the same restrictions. Point guards are in a better position to fix a game than the refs are. How about positional breakdowns? My suggestion: point guards have to follow the same rules as the refs but centers can do what they please.