Rich, I am an old Reno fan. I live just outside of Sacramento so it isn'a but a 2 hour drive. My stays in reno are mostly at the Atlantis because
there is no walk up traffic, The next closest casino in the Peppermill about a half mile away. If you want to see it all and don't mind the traffic
(foot) the besst places are on "The Prominade" as I call it. Three casinos connected together at the second floor forming a stroll from the CircusCircus to the El Dorado with the Silver Legacy in the center. If you play poker, the ElDorado brags one of the best downtown poker rooms.
If you want reasonable prices, the Circus Circus is hard to beat weekdays. If you are a gammer then the Atlantis used to give you "casino rates" which were about $50 a night but on the lower floors. Get yourself a club card and use it in the slots and present it at all table games including poker. Don't deal with the front desk if you want comps and discounts. Go into the VIP lounge for room rates, meals, gift store discounts etc.
The most fabulous casino of all in the Peppermill but expect to pay. If you get to the Peppermill, stop in to the VIP lounge, drinks and snaks are usually free and it is a quiet place to meditate on you losses. If you are mobile don't miss Virginia City and the Carson City Mint (the real mint)