Florida’s Liquor License Lottery Closes September 30, 2026
Looking for a lottery ticket that could win you a highly coveted and valuable liquor license? If so, and you have $100 to spare, you too can apply for Florida’s 2026 quota beverage license lottery.
The entry period is officially open through 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Individuals and businesses may submit one entry per participating county through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s online application center. Each entry requires a nonrefundable $100 fee.
How Quota Licenses Work
A quota license is one of several types of alcoholic beverage licenses available in Florida. It is a full liquor license allowing the sale of beer, wine and alcohol for package sales or consumption on the premises, depending on the license type. Quota licenses are issued for a specific county and may not be moved from one county to another.
In most Florida counties, a new quota license becomes available for each increase of 7,500 residents. As a result, population growth helps determine the number of licenses available in each year’s drawing.
Licenses Available in 2026
This year’s drawing includes 63 licenses available across 30 counties: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Hillsborough, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Manatee, Marion, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Volusia and Walton.
The number of licenses available in each county is shown in the chart below.
| County | Licenses | County | Licenses | County | Licenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | 1 | Jackson | 1 | Pasco | 2 |
| Brevard | 3 | Lake | 3 | Polk | 5 |
| Broward | 4 | Lee | 2 | Santa Rosa | 1 |
| Charlotte | 2 | Leon | 1 | Sarasota | 1 |
| Collier | 1 | Manatee | 2 | St. Johns | 3 |
| Dade | 5 | Marion | 2 | St. Lucie | 1 |
| Duval | 3 | Okaloosa | 1 | Sumter | 1 |
| Flagler | 1 | Orange | 3 | Suwannee | 1 |
| Franklin | 1 | Osceola | 4 | Volusia | 2 |
| Hillsborough | 3 | Palm Beach | 2 | Walton | 1 |
The Drawing and Application Process
As set forth in Section 561.19 of the Florida Statutes, the state uses a double-random-selection drawing method to give qualifying applicants an equal opportunity to obtain an available license.
After the entry period closes, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco will announce the drawing date for the drawing, which is expected to take place in spring 2027. Winning the drawing does not guarantee that a license will be issued. Instead, those selected earn the right to apply for an available quota license in the county for which they entered.
A selected applicant has 45 days from the date the Division mails the notice of selection to submit the required application. If the applicant meets the applicable qualifications and pays the required fees, the license will be issued.
What If You Do Not Win?
If you miss the entry period or do not win, you may still be able to purchase an existing quota license through a broker or private seller. The state does not set the purchase price, so prices are generally determined by supply and demand within the applicable county. Transfer fees and other costs may also apply.
From submitting an entry through completing the license application if selected, the process involves strict administrative requirements, filings and deadlines. Best of luck to those who apply, and please contact one of our attorneys if you have questions about the lottery, liquor licensing or related matters.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read here. Please review the full disclaimer for more information. Relying on the information provided in this article or communicating with Lowndes through our website does not create an attorney/client relationship.
