Unlike earlier versions, the legislation would not legalize betting on horse racing. Beach said the scaled back effort was more palatable to colleagues hesitant to expand gambling in Georgia.

The legislation will be introduced in both chambers. State Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, will carry the bill in the House. The chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee said the bill should be available Tuesday afternoon and filed on Wednesday.

“We’ve raised the bar way up there to where a $2 billion investment is now the floor,” Stephens said.

Stephens said both the proposed tax rate and the amount of proceeds that would go toward needs-based scholarships are negotiable.

“That’s the beginning of the conversation,” he said.

Several major gaming companies remain interested in Georgia, even with the increased investment requirement and the higher tax rate, he said.

“The spotlight on Georgia red hot,” he said. “There are a handful, not that many, that are looking for that opportunity.”