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Now called · New Westminster

Starlight New Westminster, then and now

Starlight Casino New Westminster stands in Queensborough, New Westminster. December 9, 2007: the Royal City Star riverboat closed its casino, and the casino operation moved ashore.

  1. Royal City Star1999 to 2007
  2. Starlight Casino2007

The line of names

January 1996: Gateway moved its New Westminster casino from the top floor of the Royal Towers Hotel to larger premises in the same hotel.

October 6, 1999: the Royal City Star began casino operations in New Westminster as the Royal City Star Casino. The riverboat had once been the Queen of New Orleans. March 23, 2006: ground broke for the $100 million Starlight Casino New Westminster, expected to open in the winter of 2007. December 9, 2007: the riverboat closed its casino, and the casino operation moved ashore.

2007: Starlight Casino opened. The boat stayed in the record a little longer: in 2011, the vessel was owned by Gateway.

Simone Okafor standing with her arms crossed, a white board at her feet; the board reads: Royal City Star, 1999 to 2007

Who runs it

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment runs Starlight Casino New Westminster. That was the position on October 7 and 8, 2026, the dates this guide checked its facts. The guide records no sale and no pending sale for this casino.

The same operator appears earlier in the line. January 1996: Gateway moved its New Westminster casino within the Royal Towers Hotel. In 2011 the old riverboat was owned by Gateway. Host municipalities typically receive 10% of the net gaming income of the casinos they host.

Who runs it now

Gateway Casinos & Entertainment

Operator · as of October 8, 2026 · source

Same operator
  1. Mar. 23, 2006Ground broken
  2. Dec. 9, 2007The riverboat casino closes; the operation moves ashore

What it is now

Starlight Casino New Westminster is at 350 Gifford Street, New Westminster, in Queensborough. Its phone number is 604-777-2946. The casino is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, in local Pacific time. Those hours follow the published schedule, not holidays or temporary changes. Holiday hours should be checked on the venue's own site.

The floor lists over 935 slots and 54 table games. A 7-table poker room sits off the main floor. Racing has a corner too: the racebook at MATCH Eatery & Public House covers thoroughbred and standardbred racing.

Hours · Open 24/7; poker Sun to Thu, 11 AM to late, Fri to Sat, 24 hours

Doors: hours in Pacific time

Holiday hours: check the casino's own site.

Door and way in

Starlight Casino New Westminster admits no one under 19. Since June 2023, everyone shows government-issued photo ID at the door. The doors stay open around the clock. The poker room runs Sunday to Thursday from 11 AM to late, and 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.

Racebook hours at MATCH Eatery & Public House: Sunday 9 AM to 9 PM, Monday and Tuesday 12 PM to 9 PM. Wednesday and Thursday run 9 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 9 AM to midnight. Parking is complimentary, with RV parking on request. Westbound Boyd St @ Gifford St (route 418) is 288 m away and 22nd Street Station 1.6 km, both in a straight line.

Questions about Starlight Casino New Westminster

Was Starlight Casino New Westminster once the Royal City Star?

It never carried that name, but it followed that riverboat casino. The Royal City Star ran its casino from October 6, 1999, to December 9, 2007, and then the casino operation moved ashore.

Is there free parking at Starlight Casino New Westminster?

Yes, parking is complimentary, with a parkade to the front door, outdoor lots and RV parking on request. The casino itself is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.