Starlight Casino New Westminster — your first visit, step by step

Starlight Casino New Westminster

Most first visits stall on three things: the wrong lot, walking past Guest Services, or reaching the gaming floor without ID ready. Below is the order that works — Gifford Street arrival, parking or transit, entry checks, then where to head inside. Starlight sits in Queensborough on the New Westminster side of the Fraser River, a short drive or bus ride from the Expo Line at 22nd Street Station.

Find Gifford Street and the main entrance

Starlight Casino is at 350 Gifford Street, New Westminster, BC V3M 7A3, in the Queensborough neighbourhood. The gaming floor runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — restaurant hours differ, so check venue times if you are dining.

From Gifford Street, follow signage to the main casino entrance. That is where age and ID checks happen and where bag screening applies. Dining venues connect inside, but entry rules apply at the gaming entrance first — use casino signage, not restaurant-only doors.

Questions before you leave home: (604) 777-2946 / info.starlight@gatewaycasinos.ca

Parking — parkade, outdoor lots, and special vehicles

Complimentary patron parking comes in two zones: a parkade steps from the main entrance and outdoor lots for overflow. On busy Friday or Saturday nights, allow extra time to find a space.

When to use which lot

• Parkade first — covered parking closest to the door. Best for rain, evening arrivals, or if mobility is a concern.
• Outdoor lots — use when the parkade is full or if you prefer open-air parking. Follow on-site directional signs from Gifford Street or the Queensborough Connector approaches.

Approach via Marine Drive, Boyd Street, or Ewen Avenue depending on your route. Connector traffic stacks up at rush hour and on event nights — pad a few minutes if you have a reservation.

Special vehicles and group logistics

Peak pressure hits Friday and Saturday evenings and nights with live entertainment. If the parkade looks full, loop to the outdoor lots before circling back — staff cannot hold spaces.

Getting here — transit, driving, and ride-share

22nd Street Station on the Expo Line is the practical SkyTrain anchor for Starlight — not New Westminster Station, which sits on the opposite side of the Fraser River. From 22nd Street, connect by bus to Gifford Street. The casino is a short walk from the nearest stops.

From downtown Vancouver: Expo Line to 22nd Street → Route 410 westbound to Ewen Avenue at Gifford Street → short walk to the entrance. Route 418 is weekday-only, so Route 410 is the default for leisure visits. Check the last bus back to 22nd Street if you are not driving home.

Queensborough and the neighbourhood

Queensborough sits on the east bank of the Fraser — residential towers, townhouses, and industrial yards along connector roads. Starlight anchors the Gifford Street corridor. Four dining venues share the complex (MATCH, RedBar, Kirin, Noodles to Go). Menus and hours are on the Games and dining page. Queensborough Landing is nearby if you arrive early. Plan parking or transit first — most visitors drive or bus in, eat or play, and leave.

Entry — ID and conduct

Entry is 19+ with valid government-issued photo ID. The same Gateway Patron Code of Conduct applies at every Gateway BC casino — full rules are on the Home page. What catches first-timers here:

• BC Services Card with photo counts— passport or driver's licence are not the only options.
• Expired ID or an outdated photo stops you at the door even if the birth date is correct.
• Bag search happens at entry before you reach the floor — have ID ready first, then open your bag when staff ask.
• Smart casual at the casino door — restaurants inside may feel relaxed, but the gaming entrance sets the standard. Skip offensive graphic tees and do not bring outside drinks.

Staff may recheck ID at any time on the floor. If you are asked to leave, re-entry restrictions apply for 24 hours or the duration of a ban notice.

Step-by-step — your first visit

1. Pick your anchor. Decide whether this is a slots night, a dinner-then-floor plan, or a poker session — each shifts your arrival time. Check venue hours on the Games and dining page if food is part of the plan.
2. Park or arrive by transit. Drivers: aim for the parkade first, outdoor lots second. Transit riders: Expo Line to 22nd Street Station, then Route 410 to Ewen Avenue at Gifford Street (or Route 418 on weekdays to Boyd Street at Gifford Street), then walk to the main entrance.
3. Enter at the main casino entrance. Have a photo ID in hand before you reach the door. Expect a bag check if you are carrying anything larger than a small personal item.
4. Guest Services if you plan to return. Encore Rewards is free with valid ID — sign up here before you play so your card is active when you sit down.
5. Orient on the floor. Follow signage from the entrance to your chosen zone — slots, live tables, poker room, or Solar Arena. The poker room sits off the main floor.
6. Choose your zone. Pick one area for your first hour — floor rules are posted on site.
7. Eat without leaving the building. MATCH, Kirin, Noodles to Go, or RedBar — match your food stop to the anchor you set in step 1.
8. Play within your budget. Set a loss limit before you play. GameSense resources are on site — 19+ only.
9. Plan your exit. Remember where you parked — parkade versus outdoor lot — before the floor blurs your memory. If you rode transit, check the last Route 410 departure back toward 22nd Street Station. Late-night service thins out.
10. Call ahead next time. Group bookings, RV parking, or accessibility requests go through info.starlight@gatewaycasinos.ca or (604) 777-2946.

Three first-visit tracks (pick one)

Accessibility and on-site supports

The facility is accessible to customers with disabilities. Wheelchairs, accessible formats, and communication supports are available on request — contact info.starlight@gatewaycasinos.ca or (604) 777-2946 before you arrive for drop-off, seating, or format needs.

• Parkade near the main entrance — shortest path from vehicle to door.
• Entry screening still applies — allowing time for ID and bag checks.
• Guest Services can route you between dining venues and the floor.

Pin this — location and contacts