All online casinos that target the UK market operate under a license from the UK Gambling Commission. This governmental body replaced the Gaming board in 2007 following the passage of the Gambling Act in 2005. The UKGC oversees all gambling in the UK. It's responsible for regulating arcades, betting shops, bingo halls, lotteries, fruit machines, online casinos and telephone betting. For players, this is a safety assurance. The UKGC frequently inspects its licensees to make sure they're compliant with local law. When it comes to online gambling, some of the key areas the UKGC focuses on are ID verification, self-exclusion and tools that help players control the time and money they spend gambling.