Erwin van Lambaert, the chief executive of a Dutch gambling establishment, will be stepping down from his current role next year to assume the position of chief executive officer at Casinos Austria.
Van Lambaert will join the Casinos Austria administrative board on March 14, 2022, and will succeed Bettina Glatz-Kremsner as CEO on April 1.
The appointment concludes the search process for Glatz-Kremsner’s replacement, which was conducted by executive recruitment firm Spencer Stuart. The current CEO announced in March that she would be departing after her contract expired.
Van Lambaert has been the head of Holland Casino since 2016, and has been overseeing its expansion into online gambling since October of this year. He has previously worked in the broadcasting industry and led an events company.
He expressed his appreciation to the supervisory board and owners of Casinos Austria for their faith in him.
“Casinos Austria holds a strong reputation within the global gaming industry, and I will collaborate with management and staff to preserve this reputation in the years to come,” said Van Lambaert. “I am truly excited about the challenges that lie ahead. Together, we will provide our patrons and players with the best gaming experience, hospitality, and entertainment, while always adhering to the highest safety standards and responsible gaming principles.”
Ill dedicate all my expertise, alongside the team, to making a lasting positive impact on the group’s well-being during these challenging times.”
The Austrian Casino Commission’s selection committee reviewed numerous candidates throughout the hiring procedure, ultimately inviting three for discussions. Van Lambalgen emerged as the top choice by a substantial margin.
Robert Chvatala, head of the Sazka Group, stated that Van Lambalgen’s selection signifies the operator’s new approach to recruitment, following criticism of their hiring practices in recent years.
“The entire search process was entirely transparent, with professional experience and a thorough understanding of the industry being paramount,” he clarified. “Erwin Van Lambalgen was chosen by Spencer Stuart because he perfectly aligns with the requirements of the CEO position.
“I’m delighted that there was a strong consensus among shareholders and employee representatives regarding this appointment.”
Wolfgang Hessen, chair of the Austrian Casino Supervisory Board, concurred. He emphasized the significance of ensuring a transparent process for appointing a new CEO, following past scrutiny, and this ultimately resulted in the selection of an “exceptional” candidate.
The Austrian National Investment Company (OBAG), which shares ownership of Austrian Casinos with Sazka, also expressed their satisfaction with the appointment.
Christine Catasta, a director on the board of the Austrian National Gaming Company (ÖBAG), stated that van Lambaart is a “leader with global experience” who can guide the organization into the future.
Catasta highlighted: “Erwin van Lambaart is a seasoned professional with extensive knowledge of the gambling sector. He has overseen 14 casinos within the government-owned Holland Casino for an extended period, and he will collaborate with staff to map out the future growth of [Casinos Austria].”
Chvatal, Catasta, and Heosun also conveyed their appreciation to Glatz-Kremsner for her contributions to Casinos Austria over the past three decades.
The departing CEO remarked that after dedicating over 30 years to the company, she is excited to entrust the organization to the most reliable individual and pledged to ensure a seamless transition.
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