Sudi Özkan, known as the 'King of Casinos,' has passed away

It has been reported that businessman Sudi Özkan, known to the public as the "King of Casinos," has passed away. It was stated that Özkan died at the hospital where he was receiving treatment in Istanbul.

Known for his international hotel and casino chains, Özkan had been one of the most prominent figures in Turkey's entertainment, tourism, and casino sectors for many years. In recent times, he had been living a life away from the public eye.

No official statement has been made yet regarding the cause of Özkan's death or his funeral arrangements.

WHO IS SUDİ ÖZKAN?

Born in Adana as the son of a grocer, Sudi Özkan began his business life in real estate and car dealership. Opening his first casino in Istanbul in 1985, Özkan quickly became one of the key players in the sector.

Gaining fame for the luxury hotels and casinos he operated across Turkey in the 1980s and 1990s, Özkan was considered one of the biggest names in the industry until 1998, when casinos were closed by law.

Following the legal regulation, Özkan moved his investments abroad and expanded his operations internationally under the Princess International Group brand. He made casino, hotel, and resort investments in many countries, primarily in Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, North Macedonia, Albania, Suriname, and the Caribbean.

Özkan also made headlines in the late 1990s and early 2000s due to tax investigations and lawsuits filed against him, and he lived abroad for a long period. It was later stated that he had reached an agreement with the Ministry of Finance to restructure his tax debts.

News Source: 12punto