Casinos Austria hires Holland Casino boss Erwin van Lambaart as new CEO

Casinos Austria’s supervisory board has unanimously appointed Holland Casino CEO Erwin van Lambaart as new CEO, replacing Bettina Glatz-Kremsner. He will join the board of the company on March 14, 2022, and will take up the position of General Manager on April 1, 2022.

Van Lambaart was appointed CEO of Casinos Austria AG at an extraordinary board meeting on Monday. The decision concludes “a transparent candidate search” which the board conducted over the last months, with the assistance of HR consultant Spencer Stuart, according to a press release.

Van Lambaart, a Dutch national, was seen as a candidate with “substantial international experience” to replace current CEO Bettina Glatz-Kremsner, who announced in March that she would no longer be available for a contract extension.

During the selection process, a Nominations Committee screened, reviewed and evaluated “numerous national and international” candidates based on strict criteria. Along with van Lambaart, other two candidates were invited to interviews before the committee unanimously agreed on the Holland Casino CEO as the best choice for the role.

The Nominations Committee followed criteria including significant professional experience in the industry as well as requirements under the provisions of the Games of Chance Act. The Supervisory Board, chaired by Wolfgang Hesoun, followed the committee recommendation and unanimously elected van Lambaart.

“I am delighted that in Erwin van Lambaart we have been able to engage a manager of international repute for the future of Casinos Austria AG,” said ÖBAG board member Christine Catasta. ÖBAG, along with Sazka Group, are the two largest shareholders in Casinos Austria AG. “With his many years of experience at the state-owned Holland Casino, which operates 14 casinos, he will work together with staff on the further development of CASAG.”

According to Robert Chvatal, CEO of the Sazka Group, the election of Erwin van Lambaart as new CEO demonstrates “the new style and approach” of the shareholders. “Erwin van Lambaart brings excellent professional qualifications and outstanding industry experience and this is the basis from which he will lead Casinos Austria AG,” he added.

"I would like to express my thanks for the trust placed in me by the Supervisory Board and the owners,” said Erwin van Lambaart about his new role. “Together, we will provide our guests and players with the best gaming experience, hospitality and entertainment, with a focus on the highest security standards and responsible gaming.”

Erwin van Lambaart has been CEO of Holland Casino since 2016, leading the business through a restructuring process and helping it position as a key player in the Netherlands. The state-owned Holland Casino operates 14 land-based venues across the country, plus online gaming.

Prior to his engagement with Holland Casino, van Lambaart worked in the event and hotel industry and was CEO of the Dutch media and entertainment company Niehe Media, as well as a member of the board of live entertainment company Stage Entertainment.