Internet may alter odds for casinos

What effect this would have on traditional casinos is the subject of debate, with some believing it could draw new customers and others concerned it would encourage patrons to stay home and gamble in their pajamas.

But given the Internet’s profound effect on retailing, newspapers, and music, the industry is watching the issue closely. At least one analyst says regional casinos such as those being contem plated by Massachusetts may have the most to lose.

“People want the experience of going to Las Vegas and going from casino to casino and enjoying the rooms,’’ said Ben Bubeck, director of the gaming team for Standard & Poor’s. “It’s more your local casino that might be a little more vulnerable.’’

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said last week that he would like to approve a casino bill by July. Senate President Therese Murray and Governor Deval Patrick have said less in recent days, but indicated in the past that they are willing to cut a deal. Most proposals would include a combination of full-scale casinos and slot-machine-only facilities.

Online gambling has generated little discussion in the Massachusetts debate, though investors will probably have to at least consider its effects as they contemplate projects that could surpass hundreds of millions of dollars.

“It’s another level of complexity’’ for a business that is still coming to terms with false assumptions about its invulnerability to the recession, said Keith Foley, a senior vice president and gaming analyst at Moody’s Investors Service.

The official taking the possible threat most seriously is state Treasurer Steven Grossman, who oversees the lottery. On Thursday, Grossman asked the State Lottery Commission to set up a task force to study potential effects of online gambling on lottery and keno sales. The state took in $900 million in profits from the lottery last year, most of which went to pay for teachers, firefighters, and local services.

“Nobody knows where this is going. Nobody knows when or if we’re going to have Internet gambling,’’ he said. “But I want to make sure that we protect ourselves.’’