Florida Senator Aims to Eliminate DEI, Increase Illegal Gaming Penalties

A Florida Senator is hoping to strip the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements and increase penalties for illegal operators in the state’s gaming industry.

Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Nassau) is hoping to remove the controversial DEI policies from the state’s gaming framework during the 2026 legislative session. He already submitted a bill that would end the practice.

The bill would also target individuals and platforms that bet on events with predetermined outcomes.

Getting rid of DEI in gaming

Yarborough, who is becoming more and more powerful within the Republican party, is hoping his Senate Bill 1164 will receive the necessary approval to become law.

The Bill would require the five-member Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC) to remove specific verbiage promoting DEI policies. That includes a section that reads the FGCC, whose members were appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), “shall consider appointees who reflect Florida’s racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.”

DeSantis already declared his support for the bill.

“Florida has led the nation on DEI elimination,” Gov. DeSantis said on Wednesday. “Now, Sen. Yarborough … has filed a bill to eliminate DEI in government. Let’s go.”

The bill would additionally remove any advantages given to “minority vendors” and “minority residents” in consideration for gaming licenses.

The FGCC is in charge of regulating the state’s gaming industry. That includes parimutuel wagering, cardrooms, slot machines, as well as sports betting, in accordance with the state’s gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe.

A slew of punishment changes

SB1164 isn’t limited to ridding pro-diversity practices. Its wide reach also targets several areas related to black-market gambling and rigged events.

One of the changes would increase the punishments for individuals who promoted or accepted wagers on fixed outcomes. The charge, if approved, would be classified as a third-degree felony.

Individuals connected with gambling houses promoting these events would also face repercussions, including first-degree misdemeanors for first-time offenses, and the possibility for more serious charges of repeat offenders.

Landlords who rented properties used for illegal gambling would also be charged with felonies.

Another part of the bill would allow individuals who wagered on sports outside of the state’s gaming compact via Hard Rock Bet to be charged with misdemeanor penalties. Operators and promoters would be hit with felony charges.

Rigged cardrooms would result in third-degree felonies for individuals who had knowledge of their inner workings. 

Individuals who brought illegal slot machines or parts would face first-degree felonies and progressive fines up to a maximum of $500,000. Bringing participants of illegal gambling rings into Florida would also be a felony.