A gaming regulator decides who may offer gambling in its area. It checks operators for honesty, financial strength and player protection, and it can fine, suspend or revoke a license. Examples include the UK Gambling Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Rules, taxes and protections differ widely between regulators, and some places have no regulator at all. Using a licensed operator does not make gambling safe, but it means there is a body to complain to.
Example
A regulator may require operators to offer self-exclusion tools and to verify the age of every customer before a bet is accepted.