Casinos Austria picks board member Bierwirth as its next CEO

Casinos Austria’s chief executive, Erwin van Lambaart, will leave when his contract expires in March 2027, and board member Andreas Bierwirth has been named to replace him. Yogonet reported on 22 October 2026 that van Lambaart has led the group since 2022.

Who they are

Bierwirth has sat on the three-member board since October 2025 as chief transformation officer. He previously held management roles at Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and Magenta Telekom, and chairs the supervisory board of Do&Co and sits on the board of Finnair.

Van Lambaart was previously chief executive of Holland Casino. He remains chair of the European Casino Association, a post he took in 2023.

The details

Supervisory board chairman Robert Zadrazil said van Lambaart told the company of his decision in September. The two main shareholders, Allwyn and ÖBAG, then began a succession process. The operator said the appointment followed an international search led by a personnel consultancy.

The executive board will shrink to two members, Bierwirth and Martin Škopek.

Why it matters

Bierwirth takes over as the lottery and casino concessions are due to be re-awarded. Casinos Austria holds all 12 land-based casino licences. A draft bill published in June would end its monopoly, open a competitive online market and provide for 13 casino licences. The report gives no timetable for the bill or the re-award.

Bierwirth named the tender as a key objective. “We will accept the competition,” he said, according to the report.