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Last night, Sixers star Ben Simmons and a group of friends were denied entry at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia, while one member of his crew — who happened to be white — was not denied.
Ben Simmons denied entry into an Australian casino due to his race?pic.twitter.com/evfo7UMoiO
— TMSPN.com (@sportsgossip) August 5, 2019
The Crown casino immediately fired back and denied that the Simmons situation was due to race but due to the fact that they always ID check people under the age of 25.
Via TMZ
“Crown strenuously rejects reports that it discriminated against a group of visitors last night,” the statement said.
“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 then took to Twitter to double down on his claims that he was racially profiled by the casino.
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
Simmons altercation with the casino has made national news in Australia.
Basketball star @bensimmons25 has accused Melbourne's Crown Casino of denying him entry to the gaming room. #TMS7 pic.twitter.com/IjJP1ZSG5Q
— The Morning Show (@morningshowon7) August 5, 2019