Guide to The Florida Liquor License Lottery

Updated 4/21/2026

Any business that wants to serve alcohol in Florida needs a DBPR liquor license, but there aren’t enough licenses for everyone to simply apply and get one. You can either purchase a license from a license holder, which can often cost hundreds of thousands of dollars or apply through the lottery system. Set your business on track to have the best odds of receiving your license by getting experienced support and assistance from Beverage License Specialists, your guide to Florida’s liquor license application and Florida liquor license lottery process.

The Foundation: Why Florida Has a Liquor License Lottery

Florida Liquor License Lottery

The Florida DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco manages liquor licenses for selling beer, wine, and spirits. Whether the license is for on-site consumption or off-site consumption, the division restricts the number of licenses available to approximately one per 7,500 county residents. The state holds lotteries whenever there’s a sufficient population increase or if licenses get cancelled, which keeps the ratio fairly constant year after year. While the process is complex and often critiqued, it’s a time-tested mechanism for managing the number of liquor licenses available in each county.

If you don’t have the funds to purchase a license from someone, you’ll need to apply for a license with a $100 fee.

Eligibility Requirements for Entering the Florida Liquor License Lottery

Meeting the eligibility requirements for the Florida Liquor License is the first step; while it’s not a guarantee, understanding the steps and having all your documentation organised can significantly improve your likelihood of securing a license. There are four initial requirements for entering the Florida Lottery:

Criminal Record: You need to have a clean record for the past 15 years.
Age: You must be 21 years old or older.
Entry Form: You must complete an entry form and pay a nonrefundable $100 application fee.
Deadline: Most counties have annually announced lotteries, with the deadline falling around August through October.

Applicants can only complete one application per country, by quota drawing, individual entry or total business entry.

Navigating the Quota Beverage License Drawing Period

Planning ahead is a key part of navigating the DBPR liquor license lottery process and having the best chance of winning. The drawing period occurs around September, though each year may have a slightly different window and deadline. If you enter and win, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will send you a letter by certified mail explaining the next steps.

Generally, you have 45 days after you’re notified as a winner of the quota license from the Florida lottery to complete the application, pay your fees, and secure your license. However, the license application itself can be fairly detailed, with multiple pages regarding your eligibility, the tax history of your business, and whether your business premises comply with health and safety standards. Having a broker advise you early on and help you be prepared to complete and submit your application as soon as possible can make all the difference during your 45-day window.

Key Considerations for Operating With Your Florida Liquor License

Whether you’re preparing to apply for a license for the first time or you want to make your odds of winning this year stronger than ever, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

Carefully evaluate what type of license is the best fit for your business’s needs, both now and in the future.
Explore Responsible Vendor (RV) staff training programs so you can immediately train your staff and protect your license.
Make sure your building is up to code well in advance of the lottery so there are no delays.
Consider working with a broker like us at Beverage License Specialists so you can be confident that the documents are complete, your eligibility requirements are met, and you’re ready to quickly secure your license if you’re selected in the Florida liquor license lottery.

Image credit: // Shutterstock // Valentyn Volkov

Guide to The Florida Liquor License Lottery

The Foundation: Why Florida Has a Liquor License Lottery

Eligibility Requirements for Entering the Florida Liquor License Lottery

Navigating the Quota Beverage License Drawing Period

Key Considerations for Operating With Your Florida Liquor License

If you are seeking to buy, sell or finance a Florida liquor license, contact Beverage License Specialists today