The PLCB was created by state law on Nov. 29, 1933, at the end of Prohibition.
Seventeen states (including Pennsylvania) and jurisdictions in Alaska, Maryland, Minnesota, and South Dakota control the sale of distilled spirits and, in some cases, wine and beer through government agencies at the wholesale level. Thirteen of those jurisdictions (including Pennsylvania) also exercise control over retail sales for off-premises consumption. The agency is governed by a three-member Board whose members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by two-thirds of the state Senate.
The PLCB regulates the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and disposition of liquor, alcohol, and malt or brewed beverages in the commonwealth. The agency issues licenses to private individuals or entities that wish to engage in wholesale operations of beer, either as an importing distributor or as a distributor. The agency is also responsible for wholesale distribution of wine and spirits, which licensees may pick up from state-operated Fine Wine & Good Spirits (FW&GS) stores or licensee service centers or have delivered from PLCB distribution centers.
The PLCB operates 857,000 square feet of warehouse space, the equivalent of almost 20 acres, contracted with two privately held Pennsylvania distribution center companies. In fiscal year 2023-24, 16.6 million cases of wine and spirits were shipped from the distribution centers.
About 575 FW&GS stores, including more than 100 Premium Collection stores, and 13 licensee service centers are leased from private landlords, infusing tens of millions of dollars into the Pennsylvania economy.
The PLCB's Bureau of Alcohol Education provides a comprehensive program to prevent underage and dangerous drinking, including:
- Alcohol Education grants to reduce underage and dangerous drinking, which are awarded to local partners in alcohol deterrence efforts;
- An award-winning education and prevention campaign - Know When. Know. How. SM - targeting underage drinking;
- The distribution of educational materials, either by request or by exhibiting at and participating in health fairs, conferences and similar programs;
- An award-winning training program for resident assistants on college campuses; and
- Relationship-building with communities and organizations across Pennsylvania committed to the prevention of alcohol misuse and underage drinking.
The PLCB's Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) training assists licensees with identifying fraudulent IDs, preventing sales to minors, recognizing and handling visibly intoxicated patrons and understanding liability issues. In fiscal year 2023-24, a total of 6,643 owners and managers and 108,572 servers and sellers were trained through RAMP.
Where the money goes
FW&GS generated more than $3.18 billion in sales and taxes in fiscal year 2023-24.
Together, $868.3 million was returned to the General Fund and state and local government and other beneficiaries in fiscal year 2023-24.
The PLCB returned $811.2 million to the General Fund:
- $448.7 million in liquor tax
- $177.4 million in state sales tax
- $185.1 million in cash transfers
The Pennsylvania State Police received $33 million for the enforcement of liquor laws.
The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs received $4.8 million to educate and prevent problem alcohol use.
Philadelphia and Allegheny counties received $11.9 million in local sales taxes.
Local communities received $4.4 million in returned licensing fees.
