Casinos Austria names Andreas Bierwirth as next CEO for 2027

Casinos Austria has appointed Andreas Bierwirth as its next chief executive officer and chairman of Austrian Lotteries, effective March 14, 2027.

He will succeed Erwin van Lambaart, whose five-year board contract expires next March. Van Lambaart, who will be 64, believes the changing environment requires new leadership.

"The changing environment will benefit from a new leadership team that will lead the company into a promising future," said van Lambaart.

The supervisory board initiated an international search process led by a personnel consultant after van Lambaart announced last September he would not seek a further term. A clear personnel recommendation was made from a wide range of candidates.

READ MORE: Wildz Group receives first online gambling licence for Finland's new market

READ MORE: Stake secures Alberta licence to enter Canada's regulated iGaming market

Edith Hlawati, a board member at state holding company ÖBAG, said she is "very convinced of this decision."

"After a year as Chief Transformation Officer, Andreas Bierwirth is very well aware of the challenges facing the Group," Hlawati said. "In previous management positions, he successfully led established companies through the transformation into competitive market environments. He is therefore ideally qualified for the role of CEO of the Casinos Austria Group."

Allwyn CEO Robert Chvatal thanked van Lambaart for his "extraordinary commitment."

"Under his leadership, Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries have developed very positively and are well positioned for the upcoming concession award," Chvatal said. "I am looking forward to working with Andreas Bierwirth, an experienced manager who I know will drive the next decisive steps of the Group with a strong entrepreneurial orientation."

Chvatal added that at Allwyn, "we share the same belief in and passion for responsible gaming as well as a clear commitment to Austria."

Key challenges ahead

Bierwirth will lead the group as it faces the re-awarding of its lottery and casino concessions, which form the basis of its future business. Casinos Austria holds all 12 land-based casino licences, while Austrian Lotteries operates under the sole lottery and online gaming licence.

"The lottery and casino concessions are due to be re-awarded, which are the basis for our business in the future," Bierwirth said. "We want to and will show that there is no better partner for this special business than our group of companies."

A draft bill published in June outlined plans to end Casinos Austria's online monopoly and open the market to competition, while also proposing 13 casino licences instead of the current 12.

"We will accept the competition and give everything to convince the players with our quality," Bierwirth said. "The transition from a monopoly market to a liberalised market is always a very special management task for the former monopolist."

With van Lambaart's departure, the management board will be streamlined to two members: Bierwirth and finance chief Martin Skopek. Bierwirth has served on the company's executive board since September 2025.

Supervisory board chairman Robert Zadrazil thanked van Lambaart "for the excellent performance of Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries during his tenure, as well as for everything he has done to strengthen the reputation and position of both companies in a rapidly changing environment."

Hlawati added that van Lambaart "has had a decisive influence on the casino and lottery business in Austria and prepared the Group very well for the upcoming regulatory changes and the opening of the online market. We are grateful to him for his commitment."

Bierwirth said leading the group comes with a huge responsibility for customers, the state as a major taxpayer, and for sport and culture. He said his experience over the last year gives him confidence.

Bierwirth said he looks forward to discussions in the coming weeks to sharpen the agenda and to working with van Lambaart to ensure a good handover.