Prominent casino and gaming companies have formed a lobbying coalition to persuade Georgia lawmakers to expand the state’s gambling laws next year.

The group includes household brands Caesars Entertainment Corp., Bally’s Corp., Hard Rock Inc., Wynn Resorts, and real estate investment firm Gaming & Leisure’s Properties Inc., sources tell Atlanta Business Chronicle. Penn National Gaming, which owns popular media company Barstool Sports, has joined the lobbying group, the Chronicle has learned. So has Foxwoods Resort Casino, the American Indian-owned complex behind Atlanta Motor Speedway’s proposed $1 billion destination resort.

Developers, operators, vendors, hospitality and gaming companies specializing in casino properties have all hired lobbyists within the last year, according to state records. Casino and gaming companies are interested in downtown sites such as CNN Center and the planned $5 billion sports and entertainment district Centennial Yards, sources said.