PRESS RELEASES

DBPR Announces Results of Annual Quota Alcoholic Beverage License Drawing

~ 35 selected entrants from the 2022 entry period now have 45 days to apply for a license in the county where selected ~

September 25, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (the Division) conducted the public drawing for quota alcoholic beverage licenses available from the 2022 entry period. The results of the drawing are available on DBPR’s Quota Licenses and Drawing web page here.

For the 2022 entry period, DBPR received more than 26,000 entries for 35 licenses in 19 counties, including Alachua, Broward, Citrus, Miami-Dade, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Marion, Okaloosa, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, Polk, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Santa Rosa and Washington.

Entrants selected from today’s drawing will be awarded the priority right to apply and qualify to hold one of the available licenses in the county from which their entry was selected. The Florida Beverage Law requires that each selected entrant file an application to qualify to hold the license within 45 days from the date of the Division’s notice of selection.

Quota alcoholic beverage licenses authorize the holder of the license to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits, either for package sales only or for consumption on the licensed premises, depending on the license series selected. The Florida Beverage Law limits the total number of quota alcoholic beverage licenses by county population estimates, authorizing the Division to issue no more than one license for every 7,500 residents within a county. Each year, the Division analyzes population data in Florida’s 67 counties, and based on the licenses available, opens the drawing process.

The ongoing 2023 drawing entry period remains open until Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 5 p.m. Entrants can apply using DBPR’s online portal to pay by credit card. To enter and pay by check or money order, applications and payment can be mailed, or hand-delivered to the following address:

DBPR Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Attn: Quota Beverage License Drawing
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399

A fee of $10,750 collected from each person, firm or corporation issued a new quota liquor license will be sent to the Florida Department of Children and Families for alcohol and drug abuse education, treatment and prevention programs.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

ICYMI — The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Highlights Partnership with Local Law Enforcement Agencies

August 23, 2023

LAKE CITY, Fla. – On Monday, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Melanie S. Griffin announced a joint effort with law enforcement designed to help keep communities safe. Joined by Representative Chuck Brannan, Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter and Lake City Chief of Police Gerald Butler, Secretary Griffin detailed the recent partnership among DBPR’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Lake City Police Department.

“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, ABT officers and our brave law enforcement agencies statewide have the resources they need to work together to keep Floridians safe,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “For 90 years, ABT has led the way when it comes to protecting Florida residents and visitors.”

“As a former law enforcement officer, I know firsthand the dedication, sacrifice and responsibility it takes to be successful at this job,” said Representative Chuck Brannan, who represents State House District 10. “I want to thank ABT, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lake City Police Department for their tireless efforts, and I’m proud to represent a district that supports the safety and law and order of its community.”

“Our partnership with ABT and the Lake City Police Department is another example of working together to keep our community safe and to hold criminals accountable,” said Columbia Sheriff Mark Hunter.

“I thank ABT Law Enforcement and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for joining with us in our continuous effort to protect Floridians,” said Lake City Chief of Police Gerald Butler. “Our community relies on close partnerships like these to ensure we are doing everything possible to keep families safe.”

To learn more about ABT’s Bureau of Law Enforcement, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Conducts Sting Operation in Manatee County

August 18, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Last week, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) participated in a coordinated law enforcement operation to combat unlicensed activity alongside the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services and Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

“Unlicensed contractors have plagued our state, driving up insurance rates for every policyholder and preying on homeowners in their most vulnerable times,” CFO Jimmy Patronis said. “Floridians must always stay on guard for signs of fraud, especially following storms. Make sure you’re working with a reputable, licensed contractor before signing anything and never feel pressured by a slick sales pitch. Thank you to DBPR and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance on this successful sting operation to crack down on unlicensed activity and hold bad actors accountable.”

“Operations such as these are critical because they allow DBPR to remain proactive by catching unlicensed contractors before they have the opportunity to harm a consumer, damage their home or business, and potentially steal thousands of dollars from hardworking Floridians,” said DBPR Secretary Melanie S. Griffin. “Protecting consumers from unlicensed criminals is one of DBPR’s main priorities.”

“We hope that these sting operations will educate both vulnerable customers and unlicensed contractors that laws are in place for everyone’s benefit,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells. “We want our community to know they are getting quality workmanship and that their Sheriff’s Office continues to guard against potential fraud.”

From August 9-10, 2023, the DBPR Division of Regulation conducted a coordinated sting in Manatee County, targeting unlicensed contractors who were working without the required licenses and insurance. The sting operation, which is typically conducted at a single location where DBPR, in partnership with law enforcement, contacts individuals who have advertised their unlicensed services to come do work at a set location, was performed by DBPR’s Tampa regional field office and resulted in a total of 15 arrests and 28 citations.

DBPR licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million Florida businesses and professionals, from real estate agents and veterinarians to contractors and cosmetologists. DBPR regularly performs enforcement operations or “stings” to proactively seek unlicensed activity in order to protect the public from harm, and “sweeps” of regulated businesses and professionals to ensure they are working within the constraints of their licenses.

If residents suspect they or their neighbors may be a victim of an unlicensed activity scam, report it to DBPR by calling the Unlicensed Activity Hotline at (866) 532-1440, emailing ULA@MyFloridaLicense.com or filing a complaint at MyFloridaLicense.com.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses and regulates more than 1.6 million businesses and professionals in the State of Florida across more than 30 fields of industry. The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. For more information, visit MyFloridaLicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter and Facebook, @Florida.DBPR on Instagram and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on LinkedIn for important information and updates on matters relating to Florida’s business and professional licensing.