Survey: Reno tourists older, not raising gambling budgets

The study found the median age of visitors in 1998 was 55, up from 54 the previous year and 51 four years ago. The mean daily budget per person last year was $163, up from $159 the previous year but down from $175 four years ago.

The study also found more Reno tourists are gambling in American Indian casinos than ever before - 25 percent in 1998, up from 19 percent in 1997 and 3 percent in 1993.

The level of visitation to Las Vegas by Reno tourists remains strong and essentially unchanged from the last two years at 30 percent, the study says.

Despite the increased competition from Indian casinos and Las Vegas, the Reno area managed to retain its visitor numbers in 1998 - down less than 1 percent to 5.1 million visitors.

The study also found most tourists are satisfied with their visits and intend to return, their incomes remain high and they're spending more outside casinos.

The study was conducted by RRC Associates of Boulder, Colo., for the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority. It was based on 2,512 visitor interviews at 28 Reno-area locations.

The results demonstrate the need for the region to develop new facilities and attractions to attract younger visitors, the study concludes.

The study found 13 percent of all lodging visitors in the Reno area last year were complimentary guests of casinos, the highest number in nine years.

One casino official attributed the jump to increased competition for gamblers because of the spread of Indian gambling.

Californians continue to constitute half of the area's visitors, making it the No. 1 feeder market to the Reno area.

Central Valley residents accounted for 14 percent of total visitors to the region, with the Bay area comprising 20 percent, down from 21 percent in 1997, and Southern California up to 7.3 percent from 6.1 percent in 1997.

But visitors from the Pacific Northwest, the second most important market behind California, dropped to the lowest point since 1990.

Residents from Oregon, Washington and Canada comprised 21 percent of total visitors, down from 30 percent in 1990.

The report cites Las Vegas and Indian casinos in the Northwest as contributing to the drop.

A less favorable exchange rate is a factor for the Canadian decline, the report says.

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