Gov. Deval Patrick indicated Thursday that the door remained open to casino gambling in Massachusetts, but that slot machines at race tracks were still a major point of contention with House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

During his monthly appearance on WTKK-FM, Patrick said he and DeLeo had discussed casino gambling in recent weeks – though not in detail – and planned to hold further discussions in the future.

Patrick refused to sign a bill last summer that called for three resort-style casinos and slot parlors at two of the state’s four racetracks. Under the measure, slot parlors would be bid on by the track owners, but the governor contended that contracts should be open to all qualified bidders.

Two of the tracks – Wonderland in Revere and Suffolk Downs in Boston – are in DeLeo’s legislative district.

"I have been as clear as possible that no-bid contracts for track owners are off the table for me," said Patrick, who also questioned the revenue and job-creating potential of slot parlors as compared to destination casinos.

At the same time, the governor said casinos were not central to his administration’s job growth strategy and he expressed concern that publicity surrounding the gambling debate detracted from more critical issues at the Statehouse.

"It sucks all of the oxygen out of the building," he said.