Casinos Austria has announced the appointment of Andreas Bierwirth as the new CEO and chairman of the board of Austrian Lotteries (Österreichische Lotterien), effective March 14, 2027. He will take over from Erwin van Lambaart, whose five-year contract concludes at that time.
The decision came after an extensive international search conducted by a personnel consultancy, prompted by van Lambaart’s choice not to seek an extension in September last year. In his remarks, van Lambaart noted that the evolving operational landscape would benefit from a fresh leadership team to steer the company into a bright future.
Van Lambaart is set to remain in his role until his term ends in March 2027, and he continues as chair of the European Casino Association (ECA), a position he assumed in 2023. Following the leadership shift, the executive board will consist of two members: Bierwirth and Martin Škopek. Bierwirth has been part of the board since 2025.
Edith Hlawati, a board member of the state holding company ÖBAG, which has a stake in Casinos Austria, commended Bierwirth’s appointment, citing his awareness of the challenges ahead. “Andreas Bierwirth is very aware of the challenges facing the group,” she stated.
Robert Zadrazil, the supervisory board chairman, praised van Lambaart for effectively positioning the company to face future obstacles. Robert Chvatal, CEO of Allwyn, a shareholder in Casinos Austria, expressed his support for Bierwirth, stating his anticipation for cooperation and reaffirming their mutual commitment to responsible gaming in Austria. “I look forward to working with Bierwirth, an experienced manager whom I know will drive the next crucial steps for the group,” he remarked, also acknowledging van Lambaart's contributions and emphasizing that the companies are well-prepared for the approaching concession award.
As Bierwirth steps into his role, he highlighted the imminent launch of casino tender licenses as a key focus. He remarked, “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 twelve land-based casino licenses, while Austrian Lotteries’ brand Win2day operates the sole license available for lotteries and online gaming in the country under a 15-year permit.
A draft bill released in June has called for ending Casinos Austria's monopoly, aiming to liberalize the online market, and it proposes an increase in casino licenses to thirteen from the existing twelve. Bierwirth expressed his readiness for the competitive landscape, stating, “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.”
