It's all spelled out

After NBA commissioner David Stern's news conference yesterday, the league distributed copies of the pamphlet given to officials concerning gambling.

Stern referred to the pamphlet during his remarks as one of the many ways the league attempts to prevent a gambling scandal like the one it now faces with the investigation of former referee Tim Donaghy.

"We educate our referees intensely," said Stern. "We have training camp presentations, we have brochures we distribute, work rules. They are visited by security, and we give them copies of compliance plans and the like that make it clear that not only aren't they permitted to gamble or provide information to people; they may not even provide, other than to their immediate family, the details of their travel schedules or the games they are going to work."

Entitled "Bad Bet: Understanding the NBA's Anti-gambling Rules," the literature states referees are forbidden from wagering on NBA games or attempting to fix games and describes how those involved in gambling might use confidential information.

In a Q & A section, the pamphlet stipulates that officials can go to a racetrack in the offseason but reminds them to conduct themselves appropriately. Also, officials are allowed to attend shows at hotels/casinos in the offseason, but they cannot loiter in gaming areas. In answer to the final question, concerning what someone should do if approached about game-fixing, officials "are required to immediately report any attempt to get them to affect or manipulate the outcome or score of a game." It also provides a phone number for NBA security.

Finally, the pamphlet describes signs of a possible gambling addiction and details some of the dire consequences. Then, numbers for Gamblers Anonymous and similar organizations are provided.

SHIRA SPRINGER