Visiting Starlight Casino, New Westminster

No. 1An overview of the venue

Starlight Casino is located on Gifford Street in New Westminster and is run by Gateway Casinos & Entertainment. The operator describes the building as a contemporary design with a subtle Asian flair.

The distance to River Rock Casino Resort is about 12.5 km, and to Richmond city centre about 13.1 km. These distances are measured in a straight line rather than by road, so the trip itself will be somewhat longer.

No. 2Hours and admission

The casino says it operates around the clock, 365 days of the year, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. Every casino in British Columbia applies the same rule: guests must be at least 19 years of age to enter.

Since June 26, 2023, all guests entering a B.C. casino have been required to present original, government-issued photo ID at the entrance. Pictures of ID and photocopies will not be accepted. Each document is scanned by staff and checked against the register of people barred from entry, which covers people enrolled in Game Break. No personal information is kept for guests who are let in. A driver's licence, a BC Services Card, a BCID and a passport are among the accepted documents.

Starlight is part of the Encore Rewards programme. There is no fee to join, and enrolment is handled at Guest Services once you show valid ID.

No. 3Gaming at Starlight

The floor includes 54 gaming tables and over 935 slot machines, as well as Stadium Gaming and VIP gaming.

Just off the main floor is the poker room, which has seven tables. The room never closes on Friday and Saturday, remaining open for the full 24 hours. Sunday through Thursday, doors open at 11 am and play continues late; no closing hour is published for that stretch. To reserve a seat or confirm which games are running that evening, you may wish to telephone the poker room on 604-777-3500.

Off-track wagers may be placed in the Racebook on standardbred and thoroughbred races held around the world. The Racebook is found inside MATCH Eatery & Public House, and its schedule differs from that of the casino floor:

No. 4Restaurants and facilities

The restaurants at Starlight include:

• MATCH Eatery & Public House, a casual, multimedia restaurant
• Kirin Restaurant, offering Chinese cuisine

Current menus and hours for MATCH Eatery & Public House and Kirin are on each restaurant's own website, not on the casino's site.

No charge is made for parking. A parkade connects directly with the main entrance, and several outdoor lots are also provided. Parking for RVs can be arranged on request.

The casino states that its facility is accessible. On request, the venue can provide wheelchairs, accessible formats and communication supports.

No. 5How it compares with River Rock

The two venues share a good deal: each has slots, live tables, Stadium Gaming, a poker room and a racebook, and each belongs to Encore Rewards. Where their published figures differ, they are set out below.

River Rock, about 150 m as the crow flies from Canada Line's Bridgeport Station, adds an on-site hotel and The Show Theatre. Further details are on the River Rock Casino Resort page.

No. 6Before your visit

Offerings and hours are subject to change, so you may wish to check them by telephone or on the official Starlight Casino site before setting out. For travel from Richmond, the desk recommends using TransLink or a map service to plan your route.

Kindly remember your photo ID. Every B.C. casino has GameSense Advisors on site, and Gambling Support BC provides a free line that is open around the clock: 1-888-795-6111.

Should you wish to consider other venues in the region, the desk maintains a register of casinos near Richmond.