Casinos Austria has appointed Andreas Bierwirth as the new CEO and chairman of the board for Austrian Lotteries, set to officially begin his role on March 14, 2027. He will take over from Erwin van Lambaart, whose five-year tenure will conclude that same month.
This leadership change follows a comprehensive international search facilitated by a personnel consultancy after Van Lambaart decided in September to forgo a contract extension. In his remarks, Van Lambaart noted that the evolving operating environment would benefit from fresh leadership to steer the company towards a promising future. Following his departure, he will remain the chair of the European Casino Association (ECA), a position he assumed in 2023.
Bierwirth's appointment will streamline the executive board, which will now consist of just two members: him and Martin Škopek, with Bierwirth having been part of the board since 2025.
Edith Hlawati, a board member of the state holding company ÖBAG, which holds shares in Casinos Austria, emphasized Bierwirth’s capability to lead during challenging times, stating, "Andreas Bierwirth is very aware of the challenges facing the group." Supervisory board chairman Robert Zadrazil praised Van Lambaart for positioning the company effectively to face future challenges.
Robert Chvatal, CEO of Allwyn and a shareholder in Casinos Austria, welcomed Bierwirth’s appointment and expressed confidence in their collaboration, reinforcing a commitment to responsible gaming in Austria. He remarked, "I look forward to working with Bierwirth, an experienced manager whom I know will drive the next crucial steps for the group," also extending gratitude to Van Lambaart for ensuring that the company is poised for the upcoming concession award.
Reflecting on his future objectives, Bierwirth cited the impending launch of casino tender licenses as a critical focus area. He stated, "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."
Casinos Austria currently holds all 12 land-based casino licenses, while Austrian Lotteries operates under the Win2day brand and maintains the single license granted for lotteries and online gaming, set for a 15-year duration.
A draft bill released in June has called for an end to Casinos Austria's monopoly, paving the way for the online market's liberalization, while also proposing the issuance of 13 casino licenses, up from the existing 12. Bierwirth commented, "We will accept the competition and give everything to convince the players with our quality. The transition from a monopoly market to a liberalized market is always a very special management task for the former monopolist."
