• A monopolist is an individual, group or company that dominates and controls the market for a particular product or service.

  • This lack of competition and lack of substitute goods or services means that the monopolist has enough power in the market to charge high prices.
  • While being the sole or dominant player in a sector is not in itself illegal, it can lead to government sanctions if the monopolist’s behavior begins to severely restrict the free market.
  • The United States government regulates unfair competition by enforcing antitrust laws that limit monopolies and protect consumers from predatory business practices.
  • Some monopolies are legal and sanctioned by the government, such as companies in the utility sector.