Department of Liquor Licenses and Control
Arizona Liquor License Lottery
When our state’s population boomed in the 90s, DLLC asked for legislation that would increase the number of three of the most sought-after liquor licenses; the bar license (series 6), the beer and wine bar license (series 7), and the liquor store license (series 9). Of the 17 series of liquor licenses available in Arizona, only these three are issued in limited quantities per county. In 2005 legislation was passed to make more licenses available through a statewide lottery every year for five consecutive years.
2009 marked the fourth year of Arizona’s liquor license lotteries. Before each lottery, three independent auditors determine the fair market value of each license. Historically, during years inwhich the lottery was held, prices ranged from a low of $5,233 for a beer and wine bar license in Gila County to a high of $235,800 for a liquor store license in Maricopa County.
DLLC launched the 2008 lottery in early March and within approximately three weeks 158 lottery license applications were received, almost twice the yield of the 2007 lottery. As the economic climate weakened in 2009, so did participation in the lottery. Each year's lottery results can be found in our Annual Report.
New in the 2008 lottery and continued in 2009, was the choice of two different types of applications; Disclosed Location (where the location of the licensed establishment has been determined) and an Undisclosed Location (where the licensed establishment’s location is not yet established).
Before a liquor license can be issued, each winner must meet Arizona liquor license requirements, plus the requirements of the city, town or county where they will operate their business.
In addition to a $100 non-refundable application fee, the winner of each license is required to pay a mandatory fifty percent (50%) deposit by May 30th, 2008 or they will be disqualified and an alternate entrant selected.