Casinos Austria AG has appointed Erwin Van Lambaart as its new General Director, with the Holland Casino CEO replacing Bettina Glatz-Kremsner.

Van Lambaart will join the Board of Directors on 14 March 2022, before taking over Glatz-Kremsner’s position as General Director on 1 April, with his new employer describing the appointment as ‘the conclusion of a transparent search’.

The state-owned casino operator further detailed that the search for candidates had been conducted in cooperation with personal consultants Spencer Stuart, and in accordance with ‘international standards’ over a period of a ‘few months’.

A recruitment process for a new General Director was initiated after Glatz-Kremsner confirmed in March of this year that she would not extend her contract, due to expire in 2022, citing ‘personal reasons’. 

The former GD had been investigated by Austria’s Economic and Corruption Public Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) under suspicion of false testimony, allegations she rejected.

Commenting on his new role, van Lambaart remarked: “I thank you for the trust that is placed in me by the supervisory board and the owners. I will use all my experience to make a lasting contribution to the welfare of the group, together with the employees in these challenging times. It would be a great pleasure to live and work in Austria.”

As CEO of Holland Casino since 2016, van Lambaart held responsibility for operating 14 terrestrial casinos and online gaming across the Netherlands by the board at Casinos Austria. 

Casinos Austria’s new hire had also served in management at hotels and casinos prior to his position at Holland Casino, whilst also holding the position of CEO of Nieche Media, with the company’s board unanimously agreeing on the van Lambaart’s appointment out of three considered candidates in a process conducted in accordance with the country’s Gambling Act.

“With the election of Erwin van Lambaart as the new CEO of CASAG, we have made clear the new style and approach of the shareholders in the appointment of CASAG board members,” said Robert Chvatal, CEO of the Sazka Group.

Prague-based Sazka Group successfully consolidated Casinos Austria into its operations in the second quarter of this year – along with the Greek Stoiximan betting brand – to deliver €693 million in group income, as outlined in its H1 2021 trading update.

Chvatal continued: “I am very pleased that there is great agreement with both the capital and employee representatives with the appointment of Erwin van Lambaart. Finally, I would like to thank Bettina Glatz-Kremsner for her many years of excellent work for the company.”