Philadelpia 76ers all-star Ben Simmons says he was denied access from the Crown Casino in Australia, suggesting he was racially profiled on Monday.
As you know an incident happened last night at Crown and my friends and I felt personally singled out, no one likes to feel like this. I am very passionate about equality and I will always speak up even if it means having uncomfortable conversations.
— Ben Simmons (@BenSimmons25) August 6, 2019
In his Instagram story that has since been deleted, Simmons claims that only his white friend was allowed into the Crown Casino in Melbourne.
The casino released a statement denying the allegations.
"Crown strenuously rejects reports that it discriminated against a group of visitors last night," a spokesperson said via SportingNews.com. "Crown's internal security policy requires our security officers to check identification of those persons they believe to be under the age of 25. This is an enhanced safeguard to ensure that no one under the age of 18 is permitted entry to the Casino Floor as required by Law. The group subsequently provided identification and were permitted entry. Crown is an inclusive workplace."
Simmons, who just turned 23, signed a five-year, $170 million contract extension this July.
