Every year, Florida holds a “quota” lottery where the state awards a limited number of liquor licenses to lucky applicants. While the drawing for the 2023 lottery will only occur in 2024, the application period is currently active. Applicants have until 5:00 p.m. on October 4 to submit their materials for the 2023 beverage license drawing.
This year’s liquor license lottery will award a total of 89 new beverage licenses across 30 Florida counties. Applicants may submit one entry per county. The license awarded will allow for the sale of beer, wine and liquor – but only in the county for which the applicant applied.
Applying for Florida’s 2023 Quota Beverage License Drawing
Florida provides a 45-day application window for the lottery drawing. The 2023 application period runs from August 21, 2023, until October 4, 2023.
The number of available licenses varies by county:
Alachua (1), Brevard (3), Broward (3), Charlotte (1), Clay (1), Collier (1), Dade (2), Duval (7), Escambia (1), Flagler (1), Hernando (1), Hillsborough (6), Lake (4), Lee (6), Leon (1), Manatee (3), Marion (2), Orange (7), Osceola (5), Palm Beach (4), Pasco (4), Polk (11), Santa Rosa (1), Sarasota (2), Seminole (1), St. Johns (3), St. Lucie (2), Volusia (3), Wakulla (1), and Walton (1).
To enter the drawing, applicants must submit their entry form and a $100 nonrefundable entry fee. Once the application period closes, the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco uses a double-blind procedure to give all applicants an equal chance to secure a license. Winners will be given the opportunity to apply for their new liquor license within 45 days of being notified.
Submit your application before October 4, 2023
Florida sees thousands of applicants for these quota liquor licenses every year. However, the process can prove to be a massive time-saver for those chosen as the winners.
For those interested in applying for the 2023 Quota Beverage License Drawing, be sure to submit your application before October 4. If you are not selected in the lottery, there are still a variety of paths to securing your liquor license in Florida. Consult an alcoholic beverage law firm for more information about your options.