Securing a liquor license, particularly a quota license in Florida, can be a complicated and competitive process. To assist hopeful business owners in securing a quota license of their own, the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (DABT) holds an annual Quota Alcoholic Beverage License Drawing. This year, the drawing for the lottery will take place on April 8, 2025.
The 2024 Quota Beverage License Drawing application opened on August 19, 2024 and was open for 45 days, with the deadline to apply on October 3, 2024. Applicants were required to submit an entry online or in paper form. Notably, only one entry is allowed per county for each person or entity.
Details of this year’s drawing
The drawing this year will take place on Tuesday, April 8 at 9:00 am. The counties participating include the following:
- Alachua
- Bay
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Citrus
- Clay
- Collier
- Dade
- Duval
- Escambia
- Flagler
- Hernando
- Hillsborough
- Indian River
- Lake
- Leon
- Manatee
- Marion
- Okaloosa
- Orange
- Osceola
- Palm Beach
- Pasco
- Polk
- Santa Rosa
- Sarasota
- St. Johns
- St. Lucie
- Sumter
- Volusia
- Walton
The drawing process is public to ensure total transparency, and applicants or any interested parties can virtually attend the lottery by registering to view it via GoToMeeting. The meeting is limited to 3,000 attendees.
The double-random drawing process involves use of a machine. After the winners are selected and cross-referenced to ensure accuracy, the DABT sends certified letters to the winners within five days of the drawing. Winners must respond promptly, as they only have 45 days to apply. The letter will detail all necessary requirements for the quota license to be issued, including required fees. The list of winners is also released to the general public after all information is verified.
How are the counties involved selected?
Not all Florida counties are included in the lottery system each year. The DABT increases the number of quota licenses available by one for every additional 7,500 people who reside in the county that year. Five counties also have special rules in place that allow them to deviate from the standard. Particularly in the most populous counties, securing a liquor license can be very competitive, making the lottery system an appealing option for hopeful business owners looking to secure a license.
What are the other licensing options?
Those who did not register for the 2024 drawing, or who are not one of the lucky winners, are not without options. Many businesses get their start or expand the services they offer by purchasing an existing liquor license from another organization looking to sell. They can expect to pay a premium price in such scenarios.
Businesses intending to close down in the near future and those shifting away from the alcoholic beverage industry can theoretically sell their licenses to other entities if they follow the right process. Unfortunately, this process is often quite expensive, as bar and restaurant owners often see fierce competition among prospective license buyers. Such sales often involve auctions with competitive bidding.
Licenses issued through the lottery to a business typically cost significantly less compared to what businesses may charge for an existing license on the resale market, but they are still an investment. For those who missed the opportunity to apply in 2024 for this drawing, there will be another chance in the late summer and early fall of this year to register for the next lottery. The 2025 entry period opens on August 18, 2025.
A Florida alcoholic beverage attorney can provide ongoing support
Securing a liquor license alone can be an overwhelming process. Whether you are one of the lucky winners who secures a license through this year’s lottery drawing or are still in need of a quota license after April 8th, an alcoholic beverage attorney can assist. At Rubert Law, our experienced lawyer can guide you through all steps of the licensing process, from securing a liquor license to negotiating costs to navigating regulations at the local, state and federal levels.
Reach out to our law firm by calling our Weston office at 954-546-7951 or our Miami office at 305-809-7669. You can also submit an inquiry through our online contact form. With offices in Weston and Miami, we serve clients throughout the state of Florida.