Casinos Austria Appoints Andreas Bierwirth As CEO Ahead Of Gambling Licence Tender

Casinos Austria has appointed Andreas Bierwirth as its next Chief Executive Officer, with the incoming executive set to lead the gambling group through a crucial period of regulatory reform and competition for new casino and lottery concessions.

Bierwirth will take over on 14 March 2027, succeeding Erwin van Lambaart, whose five-year contract expires that month. He will also become Chairman of the Board of Austrian Lotteries (Österreichische Lotterien), which operates alongside Casinos Austria within the wider group.

The appointment follows an international executive search launched after Van Lambaart confirmed in September 2025 that he would not seek an extension to his contract.

Bierwirth's arrival comes as Austria prepares to reshape its gambling industry, with proposed legislation potentially ending the country's online gambling monopoly and introducing greater competition for existing operators.

Casinos Austria Prepares For Leadership Transition

The appointment will see Casinos Austria streamline its executive leadership, reducing the management board to two members comprising Bierwirth and Martin Škopek.

Van Lambaart will remain in his position until the end of his contract in March 2027, providing a transition period ahead of the anticipated concession process. He will also continue serving as Chairman of the European Casino Association (ECA), a position he has held since 2023.

The outgoing CEO previously suggested that changes to Austria's gambling environment would benefit from a new leadership team capable of guiding the business through its next phase.

Casinos Austria's Supervisory Board Chairman Robert Zadrazil praised Van Lambaart's contribution, stating that he had positioned the company “exceptionally well” to address future challenges.

Edith Hlawati, a board member of Austrian state holding company ÖBAG, which owns a stake in Casinos Austria, also welcomed the appointment.

“Andreas Bierwirth is very aware of the challenges facing the group,” Hlawati said, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the business through the forthcoming regulatory changes.

Allwyn Welcomes Appointment Ahead Of Concession Process

The leadership change has also received support from Allwyn, a shareholder in Casinos Austria.

Allwyn CEO Robert Chvatal welcomed Bierwirth's appointment and emphasised the importance of maintaining the group's position as Austria prepares to award new gambling concessions.

“I look forward to working with Bierwirth, an experienced manager whom I know will drive the next crucial steps for the group,” Chvatal said.

He also thanked Van Lambaart for his leadership, expressing confidence that Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries were well positioned for the forthcoming concession award process.

The new CEO will inherit a business operating under a long-established licensing structure, with Casinos Austria currently holding all 12 land-based casino licences in the country.

Austrian Lotteries also operates Win2day, which holds Austria's sole licence covering lotteries and online gambling under the existing regulatory framework.

These concessions form the foundation of the group's domestic operations, making the forthcoming licensing decisions particularly significant for its long-term strategy.

Austrian Gambling Reform Could End Online Monopoly

Austria's proposed gambling reforms are expected to create a more competitive environment for established operators, with a draft bill published in June outlining plans to liberalise the online gambling market.

The proposals would end the existing online monopoly while increasing the number of available land-based casino licences from 12 to 13.

For Casinos Austria, the changes could introduce new competitors into areas of the market where the group has traditionally enjoyed exclusive operating rights.

Bierwirth acknowledged the importance of the upcoming concession process, identifying the retention of the group's licences as a central priority for his leadership.

“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 said.

The incoming CEO also recognised that the proposed liberalisation would require Casinos Austria to adapt its approach to competition and customer engagement.

“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.

Although the proposed reforms have yet to be finalised, they represent a potentially significant change to Austria's gambling landscape.

Bierwirth's appointment positions Casinos Austria for that transition, with the group seeking to retain its existing concessions while preparing to compete in a more open domestic market.