Casinos Austria appoints Andreas Bierwirth as Director General

After an international search process, the supervisory board of Casinos Austria has announced its next Director General and Chairman of the Board of Austrian Lotteries.

Andreas Bierwirth will officially succeed Erwin Lambaart on 14 March 2027, when the latter's contract will expire.

In September, Lambaart informed the supervisory board that he had no intention of seeking an extension of his term of office. The board, therefore, brought in a renowned personnel consultant to assist in finding an apt replacement from a broad pool of candidates.

According to one of the board members, Bierwirth "possessed all the necessary qualities to lead the group through challenging times." The new Director General brings with him two decades of leadership experience across a wide range of fields.

From aviation and telecommunication to now the gambling industry, Bierwirth has managed to successfully guide established companies through their transformation into more competitive market environments. 

In the official press release, Allwyn (a Casinos Austria majority shareholder) CEO Robert Chvátal added: "We would like to sincerely thank Erwin van Lambaart for his extraordinary commitment. Under his leadership, Casinos Austria and the Austrian Lotteries have developed very positively and are well positioned for the upcoming concession award.

I look forward to working with Andreas Bierwirth, an experienced manager whom I know will drive the next crucial steps for the Group with a strong entrepreneurial focus. At Allwyn, we share the same belief in and passion for responsible gaming, as well as a clear commitment to Austria."

In September, Casinos Austria announced plans to invest more than €3m ($3.4m) in Casino Velden in 2027. The goal is to secure the casino as a year-round destination for domestic and international tourism to the Austian region.

Because of Casinos Austria's commitment to local tourism and responsible gaming, it was shortlisted for the Casino of the Year Award in 2026 at the Global Gaming Awards for the EMEA region.