Local lawmakers Wednesday were cool to an idea floated by House Speaker Sal DiMasi calling for a non-binding referendum on whether casinos should be legalized in Massachusetts.

The legislators said they are not necessarily opposed to the idea, but they question what it would accomplish.

State Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, said the Legislature often ignores binding referendums, so he doubts a non-binding one would have much impact.

Rep. Steve D'Amico, D-Seekonk, said he suspects the gambling industry would flood the state with money and advertising to overwhelm casino opponents and win the referendum.

Still, he said a referendum might be the way to go. "If that is what it takes to put this to rest, so be it," he said.

DiMasi is a strong opponent of casinos and worked to defeat a bill by Gov. Deval Patrick to legalize three casinos.

However, DiMasi floated the idea of a referendum this fall with the promise the House would reconsider the issue next year.

His move was seen by some as an effort to sidetrack Senate Republicans who were attempting to attach Patrick's casino bill to the state budget.

DiMasi said the Senate move could cause a stalemate on budget negotiations because the House version of the budget does not include casinos.

The Senate voted to send the idea to a study committee.

State Rep. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, who helped defeat the casino bill, said he would hold off on committing to a referendum until the House acts on a measure to allow slot machines at race tracks.

Ross has been advocating for the slot machines on behalf of Plainridge Racecourse in Plainville, which is in his district.

He said slot machines at race tracks are the fastest way to get more revenue pouring into the state treasury because the tracks already have the facilities and roadways to expand their gambling operations.

Casinos would take years to build, he said. State Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro, said he would want to see the details of a referendum proposal before saying whether he favored it.

Any casino proposal has to be carefully evaluated, he said.

"I am not opposed to contemplating bringing casinos to Massachusetts," he said.