Andreas Bierwirth Named New CEO of Casinos Austria

Casinos Austria has placed Andreas Bierwirth at the head of the group. Bierwirth will succeed Erwin van Lambaart and will begin his role on March 14, 2027. Van Lambaart's five-year contract ends on the same date. Last September, van Lambaart announced that he would not stand for a new term. The appointment followed an international selection process run by an external consulting firm.

The board is also set to be reduced to two members. Bierwirth and Martin Škopek will remain. Bierwirth has served on the board since 2025. Edith Hlawati, a board member of ÖBAG, the state holding company, said Bierwirth understands the challenges the group faces. Robert Chvatal, managing director of Allwyn, which holds a stake in Casinos Austria, also supported the decision.

Bierwirth named the upcoming license tender as one of the most important priorities ahead of him. He noted that lottery and casino licenses are being re-awarded and said the company wants to prove it is the best partner for the job.

Casinos Austria currently holds all 12 land-based casino licenses in Austria. Austrian Lotteries operates the Win2day brand under a single lottery and online gaming license valid for 15 years. A draft law published in June aims to end Casinos Austria's long-standing monopoly in online gaming and open the market to competition. The draft also plans to issue 13 casino licenses in place of the current 12.

Bierwirth said the company is ready for a free market with growing competition. He said they accept competition and will do everything to win over players with the quality of their offering. Van Lambaart, besides his role at Casinos Austria, has chaired the European Casino Association since 2023.