A report on an Austrian gambling-law draft says it would retain Casinos Austria’s monopoly, including for online gaming, ahead of licences expiring in 2027. The draft is under discussion with coalition partners, and the report says the ÖVP is unlikely to support it.
The draft could shape online-gambling licensing as existing licences approach expiry in 2027.
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Casinos Austria has named board member Andreas Bierwirth to succeed CEO Erwin van Lambaart, who will step down when his contract expires in March 2027. Supervisory board chairman Robert Zadrazil said van Lambaart announced his decision internally in September, after which shareholders Allwyn and ÖBAG began a succession process. Bierwirth, chief transformation officer and a board member since October 2025, said the re-award of lottery and casino concessions is a key objective.
Casinos Austria has named board member Andreas Bierwirth to succeed CEO Erwin van Lambaart, who will step down when his contract expires in March 2027. Bierwirth has been a member of the three-member board since October 2025 and holds the position of Chief Transformation Officer.
Austria's new gambling law is under review, and the finance ministry is expected to tender new lottery licences in autumn, according to a report. Brightstar is developing a consortium, while another unnamed major bidder has formally entered the race; Casinos Austria and its majority owner Allwyn also have interests in the lottery business.
Allwyn could acquire additional shares in Casinos Austria, where it already holds just under 60%, according to reported speculation. The report says the lotteries business is the main focus, rather than the group’s 12 domestic casinos or overseas interests.
Allwyn AG restructured its ownership chain to hold a direct 67.1% voting stake in Australia’s Reef Casino Trust, according to the report. The change followed the merger of Allwyn International AG into Allwyn AG and was described as separate from Iris Cairns’ takeover bid; that bid remained subject to an 80% acceptance threshold and regulatory approvals.
Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries confirmed Robert Zadrazil as chairman of the group’s Supervisory Board. He succeeds Wolfgang Hesoun, who stepped down after the Annual General Meeting following six years in the role; Katja Tautscher also joined the board, and Roland Mechtler’s Austrian Lotteries mandate was renewed.