Sudi Özkan Founder of Princess International and Casinos Dies
Turkish businessman Sudi Özkan, founder and chairman of the Princess International Group has died at the age of 87. According to multiple reports from Turkey, Özkan passed away on 2 October 2026 in Istanbul. His exact cause of death has not been officially announced, however he had been receiving medial treatment for sometime in Istanbul.
Özkan rose to prominence in Turkey during the 1980s and 1990s, when he built one of the country’s most extensive portfolios of casino and tourism investments. His business interests later expanded well beyond Turkey, encompassing hotel and casino operations in the Balkans, the Caribbean, Central America, and the United States.
At the time of his death, Özkan was reported to have left behind a network of approximately 28 casinos operating across 16 countries. His holdings included Princess Hotel and Casino in Guyana, Princess Port de Plaisance in St. Maarten, and several casino properties in Bucharest, Romania, operated through Miorita Co. and affiliated companies.
His business activities were not without controversy. In the early 2000s, Turkish media reported allegations concerning large-scale money laundering operations linked to his enterprises. More recently, his name appeared in legal proceedings in the Caribbean region. These matters, however, did little to diminish his reputation among supporters as a pioneering figure who helped shape the modern casino and hospitality landscape in several emerging markets.
Özkan’s death prompted responses from political and business figures in territories where he operated. In St. Maarten, Prime Minister Dr. Luc F.E. Mercelina extended condolences following news of his passing, acknowledging the businessman’s long-standing presence on the island. His company had also been a recurring supporter of major regional events, including the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.
In Guyana, Özkan was known for his 2008 acquisition of the Buddy’s International Hotel property for US$25 million, a transaction that underscored his commitment to expanding his hospitality footprint in South America.
Turkish press accounts noted that Özkan was regarded as a business figure of comparable stature to the country’s most prominent conglomerate families, having built a fortune in a sector where few Turkish entrepreneurs established a comparable international presence. Hi wealth is estimated at $2 billion, it is not known if his eldest son Anibal Enis will takeover the business.
