Administration officials confirmed that Sheldon Adelson, majority owner of the Las Vegas Sands Casino and one of the US wealthiest individuals, has personally held discussions with Governor Deval L. Patrick’s economic development secretary about the state’s pending decision whether to legalize casino gambling.

The administration would not confirm a report that Adelson is currently considering building a multi-billion dollar casino in Marlboro off Interstate 495, but local officials in Marlboro said representatives of his company may have looked at two sites in that town over the last two years.

Kofi Jones, spokeswoman for Housing and Economic Development and Housing Secretary Daniel O’Connell said the meeting between Adelson with O’Connell on May 21 was requested by the casino executive. She said it came as O’Connell is heading up an administration task force studying expanded gaming in Massachusetts for the governor.

Jones said if the state legalized casino gambling Adelson may be among a number of casino developers that could try to develop a casino in Massachusetts.

Governor Patrick is currently studying the question of whether to strike an agreement with either of the tribes to allow a casino, and whether other private casino developers should be allowed to build casinos. Patrick has said he will decide whether to allow casinos and how many, later this summer.