CEO Erwin van Lambaart opens the Playsponsible Academy 2025.
PLAYSPONSIBLE ACADEMY 2025
Annual conference on our responsibility in the area of gaming
Without responsible action, gaming can quickly become a risk. That is why we need players who go beyond the requirements defined by law. The Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries Group has been taking on this responsibility for Austria for many decades. In addition to ensuring fair gaming conditions and correct and secure game processing, the protection of players is of the utmost importance.
Rethinking responsibility
On 3 April 2025, more than 200 employees and managers from the group gathered at the annual Playsponsible Academy at the Casino Baden. This event provides a valuable platform for staying up to date, learning from experts and exchanging ideas. In his welcoming address, CEO Erwin van Lambaart emphasised that the Playsponsible Academy has been a unique and exemplary event in the industry for more than 20 years. He underlined the necessity of continuously rethinking responsibility and using current scientific findings to further develop the area of responsible gaming. This initiative is part of the ongoing investments and innovations that aim to ensure optimal protection for all customers and guests – in line with our responsibility to Austria.
International experts shed light on player protection
The Playsponsible Academy podium welcomed international speakers from various industries who shed light on different aspects of player protection. Ute Andorfer, a clinical psychologist at the Anton Proksch Institute, emphasised the crucial role of early detection of problematic gaming behaviour in addiction prevention. She pointed out that the long-standing, successful cooperation with the group's licensed gaming operations makes a significant contribution in this regard. Numerous employees have been and continue to be trained as prevention officers at the Anton Proksch Institute to promote effective addiction prevention measures.
Risk and responsibility in racing
Austrian Formula One driver and racing expert Alexander Wurz shared fascinating insights into risk and responsibility in the world of Formula One. He emphasised that responsible management of the entire Formula One circus is not possible without highly qualified employees. To meet the constantly changing risks, continuous adjustments and improvements are crucial. It was clear that a proactive approach to this topic is not only important in racing, but also in the gaming industry.
The Academy – commitment to security and fairness
The annual Playsponsible Academy promotes the international exchange of knowledge and research in the fields of player protection, psychiatry, psychology, social sciences and neurology. This ensures that the latest scientific findings are always incorporated into the player protection measures of the Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries Group. The Academy offers employees and representatives of supervisory authorities and counselling centres the opportunity to learn about and exchange information on current developments in the field of player protection. In this way, the group has been setting standards in the field of responsible gaming for more than 20 years.
