SALISBURY — As state coffers suffer from the impact of the sluggish economy, two area legislators say state officials will revisit the idea of legalizing gambling in Massachusetts in months to come.

Speaking in Salisbury recently, state Sen. Steve Baddour and Rep. Michael Costello said Gov. Deval Patrick's proposal to legalize gambling may have died this year, but financial stress will resurrect the topic on Beacon Hil,l perhaps before the year is out.

"This year was tough financially, and next year will be one of the most difficult years in a long time," Baddour, D-Methuen, said in an interview. "With the financial situation as it is, I think (the Senate) will revisit (legalizing) gambling. I'd like to see it. I think we need to do it."

Costello, D-Newburyport, concurred with Baddour, saying the state hasn't seen the last of the debate on allowing full-blown casino gambling.

But Costello favors gambling only because of the threat from competition.

"If it weren't for Connecticut's gambling and the Native American tribes here who could open casinos, I'd be vehemently opposed to (legalizing) gambling," Costello said.

Costello said many gambling-prone Massachusetts residents currently take their money to Connecticut's Indian casinos, such as Foxwoods. New Hampshire has repeatedly flirted with adding gambling at racing venues at the state borders in Salem and Seabrook, he added, especially when that state is facing financial stress.

In addition, Costello said, there is a very real possibility this state's federally recognized Native American tribes could soon open their own casinos here. If that happens, Costello said, the state would lose control of gambling and tax-related financial windfalls that it might bring.

Although both legislators favor adding gambling income to the state's revenues — albeit grudgingly for Costello — each has a different idea of how it should it accomplished.

Baddour favors Patrick's plan of three resort casinos licensed to the private sector in three areas in the state: one North of Boston, one in the southeastern part of the state and one in the western part.

Costello, however, has a different view.

"I think partnering with the Native American tribes is something we should look at," Costello said. "And I don't like the idea of letting the private sector open casinos here. Once you let gambling out of the state's control, you can't bring it back."

Costello also believes putting a casino close to the New Hampshire border could force the Granite State to legalize gambling quickly. Since Rockingham Park race track could be converted for expanded gambling at a moment's notice, Costello feels if this state legalizes gambling it should be far away from its neighbor to the north.

Instead, he said, a casino close to the Connecticut border would halt the millions in Massachusetts gambling money streaming over that border.

"I think if we put a casino in the North Shore or Merrimack Valley, we'll have a problem with New Hampshire," Costello said. "It would be much better to put it near Connecticut. But, with gambling, it's important to keep an open mind."