Gateway Casinos and Entertainment has celebrated the grand opening of its Starlight Casino Edmonton, following a $57 renovation and re-brand of the former Palace Casino property.
Adding a further 300 employees to its workforce, bringing the site total to in excess of 500, the latest developments have seen 120,000 square feet of entertainment and gaming space added.
Tony Santo, CEO of Gateway Casinos, commented: “Today marks the start of the next chapter at the iconic West Edmonton Mall.
“For many decades, Canadians have flocked here to experience this one-of-a-kind shopping and entertainment experience. We believe Starlight Casino Edmonton is the perfect compliment to this Canadian landmark.”
Over 500 community leaders and project partners commemorated the grand opening, as the organisation again emphasised its commitment to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The selected charity partner for the festivities is to receive a portion of the sites’ food and beverage sales, between the dates of 26 September and 31 October.
Deron Bilous, minister of economic development and trade, stated: “The opening of Starlight Casino adds to the many world class entertainment options available to Albertans and our visitors. With more than 300 new jobs – and $57 million dollars of investment – it is another sign of investor confidence in our growing economy.”
“The addition of Starlight Casino will not only create hundreds of jobs but also allow Edmontonians and visitors to enjoy another great option for food and entertainment in our city,” added Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson.
Located in West Edmonton Mall, the construction project builds upon that already undertaken at Gateway’s Grand Villa Edmonton, with the firm investing approximately $90m combined in the local economy, and creating north of 550 new jobs.
Niaz Nejad, COO and VP of Gaming & Cannabis at the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, concluded: “On behalf of AGLC, I would like to congratulate Starlight Casino on their grand opening.
“We are delighted to be a part of the launch of the innovative Replay gaming area – the first of its kind in Alberta. While the AGLC is committed to the responsible growth of Alberta’s gaming industry, we are also invested in developing modernised gaming options for Albertans.”
