On Wednesday, Casinos Austria announced the appointment of Andreas Bierwirth as the new CEO and chairman of the board of Austrian Lotteries (Österreichische Lotterien), effective March 14, 2027. Bierwirth will take over from Erwin van Lambaart, whose five-year contract expires that month.
The decision for this leadership change follows an extensive international search process conducted by a personnel consultancy. This search was prompted by Van Lambaart’s choice last September not to pursue a contract extension. He remarked that the evolving operating environment would benefit from a new leadership team steering the company toward a promising future.
As he prepares for his departure in 2027, Van Lambaart will continue to serve as chair of the European Casino Association (ECA), a role he assumed in 2023. Following his transition, the executive board will consist of just two members: Bierwirth and Martin Škopek, with Bierwirth being a board member since 2025.
Edith Hlawati, a board member of the state holding company ÖBAG, which holds shares in Casinos Austria, commended Bierwirth's appointment. "Andreas Bierwirth is very aware of the challenges facing the group," she said, underscoring his readiness to lead during turbulent times.
Supervisory board chairman Robert Zadrazil acknowledged the groundwork laid by Van Lambaart, highlighting that he positioned the company exceptionally well for future challenges. Robert Chvatal, CEO of Allwyn, a shareholder in Casinos Austria, also welcomed Bierwirth and expressed confidence in their forthcoming collaboration. "I look forward to working with Bierwirth, an experienced manager whom I know will drive the next crucial steps for the group," he said, reaffirming a collective commitment to responsible gaming in Austria. Chvatal also recognized Van Lambaart's contributions, noting that both Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries are well-prepared for the impending concession awards.
In response to his new role, Bierwirth emphasized the upcoming launch of casino tender licenses as a key priority. "The lottery and casino concessions are due to be re-awarded, which are the basis for our business in the future. We want to and will show that there is no better partner for this special business than our group of companies," he stated.
Currently, Casinos Austria holds all 12 land-based casino licenses, while Austrian Lotteries' brand Win2day holds the only available license in the country for lotteries and online gaming, valid for 15 years. A draft bill released in June announced the end of Casinos Austria's monopoly, aimed at liberalizing the online market and planning for 13 casino licenses instead of the existing 12. "We will accept the competition and give everything to convince the players with our quality. The transition from a monopoly market to a liberalised market is always a very special management task for the former monopolist," Bierwirth added.
