In a statement to the Singapore stock exchange, where it is listed, Genting said its proposal was "duly passed" at an extraordinary meeting.

Genting has said it would pay S$255 million (HK$1.3 billion) for the Star Cruises stake, which would give it full control of the integrated casino development Resorts World at Sentosa.

The resort will include a Universal Studios theme park and the world's largest oceanarium, as well as gaming facilities. It is set to open in 2010.

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Genting and Star Cruises, both part of Malaysian conglomerate Genting, in December won a bid to build Singapore's second casino to be located on Sentosa island.

But Singapore authorities questioned the consortium after it announced a tie-up which would have given Macau gambling mogul Stanley Ho an indirect stake in the Sentosa project.

Genting pulled out of the partnership with Ho. Star Cruises has remained part of the deal with Ho but had to sell its 25 percent stake to Genting to severe any links with the Singapore development. Construction started last month on the 49-hectare complex.

Singapore's first casino, on the Marina Bay waterfront, is being built by Las Vegas Sands. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE