Richard Watson

GBR

Role

Executive Director

Organization

The Gambling Commission

Richard Watson is the Director of Enforcement and Intelligence at the Gambling Commission. The Gambling Commission regulates commercial gambling and the National Lottery in Great Britain in partnership with licensing authorities. Watson is responsible for leading the teams that combat illegal gambling activities and betting-related corruption in sport, in addition to gathering intelligence from the public, sports-governing bodies, and law enforcement and government agencies, as well as other regulators.

Prior to joining the Gambling Commission, Watson worked for 32 years in law enforcement.

The Gambling Commission acts on behalf of the UK Government as its national platform to drive delivery of the Sports Betting Integrity Action Plan. The plan sets out the expected focus of the Gambling Commission, law enforcement agencies, sports governing bodies, player associations, betting operators and government in delivering effective actions to identify and control risks associated with match-fixing and sports betting integrity.

The Gambling Commission has supported sports governing bodies including the IOC, FIFA, UEFA, the ICC, World Rugby and the International Tennis Federation, as well as various governments, in the delivery of successful major events.

The speakers

Using the unique power of sport to bring people together, the Olympism in Action Forum saw a range of global players, including Olympic Movement stakeholders, athletes, private and public sector leaders, NGO representatives, academics, artists and the media come together to talk on topical contemporary issues. Chosen because of their ability to effect change and their wide range of sometimes differing opinions, the speakers led lively debates and seeked to challenge received wisdom to inspire new ways of thinking.