SINGAPORE, Feb 6, 2010 (AFP) - Singapore's authorities issued a casino licence to neighbouring Malaysia's Genting group on Saturday, allowing the company to add gaming to its ambitious development plans in the city-state.

Resorts World Sentosa, built by Genting on a former British military outpost at a cost of 4.4 billion US dollars ($6.2 billion), opened four premium hotels last month in expectation of the licence.

Singapore's casino regulator said the licence was issued on Saturday.

"The Casino Regulatory Authority of Singapore has issued a casino licence to Resorts World... on 6 Feb 2010," the regulator said on its website.

In addition to the casino, hotels and convention facilities, Genting will open a Universal Studios theme park by March at the complex on Sentosa island, which is already packed with leisure attractions.

A marine life park, maritime museum, spa and two more hotels are scheduled to launch after 2010.

Singapore gave the go-ahead for casino gambling in 2005, setting off a flurry of construction that went ahead despite last year's recession.

The government hopes the casinos will boost the country's tourism appeal.

The small island-republic relies mainly on man-made attractions to entice tourists.

Marina Bay Sands, another such casino resort, is scheduled to open in April following construction delays. It is being built by US-based Las Vegas Sands.