Japan approves $13.5 billion Osaka resort, country's first casino

FILE PHOTO: The spinning wheel on a roulette table is seen at Japan Casino School in Tokyo, Japan August 4, 2018. Picture taken August 4, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japan on Friday approved a plan to build the country's first casino in the western city of Osaka, paving the way for a 1.8 trillion yen ($13.5 billion) resort set to open in 2029, aimed at attracting domestic and international tourist spending.

The giant resort complex located on Yumeshima, a reclaimed island in Osaka Bay due to hold the World Expo in 2025, will also include hotels, a conference centre, shopping mall, museum and ferry terminal, while high-rollers will have access to an adjacent helicopter pad.