PORTLAND – If Kittery says no to a casino proposed by two Maine Indian tribes, other communities may be willing to put out the welcome mat.

Sanford, Old Orchard Beach and Biddeford are among municipalities in which officials have signaled an interest in the $400 million to $600 million resort hotel and casino.

Sanford, battered by job losses at its largest employer, Vishay-Sprague, indicated it is open to the project being pushed by the Penobscot and Passamaquoddy tribes.

“I’d love to talk to them,” said Joseph Lincourt, chairman of the Sanford-Springvale Chamber of Commerce. “I do not believe a casino is the devil.”

Sanford selectmen are expected to attend an April 19 informational forum on casinos sponsored by the York Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I think Sanford needs it,” said Elizabeth Dupre, a selectman. “We have a lot of businesses that have closed down. We need something to get this town back on its feet.”

Biddeford Mayor Donna Dion also expressed interest. “With that much income, I would seriously evaluate it,” she said.

In Old Orchard Beach, at least one town councilor would welcome a casino, saying it would increase tourism, create jobs and generate tax revenue.

“There’s no doubt in my mind [a casino] could be a positive impact for our town and the state,” Darryl Chandler said.

Tom Tureen, the Portland attorney advising the tribes, said Kittery remains the focus for a casino, if the state approves casino gambling. He said a legislative task force evaluating the impact of casino gambling will likely consider the best location.

Kittery, he said, “makes the most sense” because it would be able to attract the largest number of people, many from states south of Maine.

Tureen met with officials in Wells to gauge interest there should Kittery reject the idea, but Wells Town Manager Jonathan Carter said his town had no land for a casino.

People elsewhere in Maine offered a range of thoughts about shifting the project to their communities:

. Jennifer Connolly, a Westbrook city councilor, said she would consider a casino “if it’s something the community would support and it would help reduce the tax burden and increase employment opportunities.”

. Edward MacColl, attorney for Scarborough Downs racetrack, said he “probably wouldn’t hang up” on the tribes if they called. But he doesn’t think that is likely.

. Paul Badeau, marketing director of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, said he didn’t think a casino is suited for that area of the state because of the stigma associated with gambling and the problems of gambling addiction.

Nonetheless, in places such as Calais and Bangor, officials are open to hearing casino proposals. Legislators defeated a proposal for a casino in Calais in 1994.