The Ohio Liquor Lottery is a unique lottery system implemented by the state of Ohio to distribute rare, limited release, and highly sought after liquor products to Ohio residents. The lottery system was created due to the very high demand and low supply of certain popular liquor products that would otherwise be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis. The lottery aims to give every Ohio resident an equal chance to purchase bottles that are often flipped by resellers or bought up immediately upon release.
How the Ohio Liquor Lottery Works
The Ohio Liquor Lottery is administered by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control and overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission. When a rare or limited release liquor product is allocated to Ohio, the Division of Liquor Control determines how many bottles will be made available through the lottery system versus traditional retail channels. Lottery bottles are distributed across the state to participate lottery hub stores. Ohio residents can enter the lottery by visiting one of the hub stores during a designated entry period, usually about two weeks long. To enter, you must be an Ohio resident aged 21 or older and fill out a lottery entry form. There is a limit of one entry per person per product. Entries can be made for multiple products during the entry period.
At the end of the entry period, a computerized lottery drawing is held to randomly select the winners. The number of winners selected equals the number of available bottles for each product. Only one bottle is awarded per winner. The Division of Liquor Control contacts the winners by phone and/or email within 48 hours of the lottery drawing. Winners have 24 hours to respond and claim their bottle. After 24 hours, unclaimed bottles are awarded to the next entries on the alternate list which is also randomly generated during the initial drawing.
Lottery winners can only collect their bottle from the hub store location where they originally entered. The bottles are held behind the counter and are not displayed on store shelves. Proof of identification and the original signed lottery entry form must be presented in order to collect the bottle. Lottery bottles are sold at the MSRP set by the manufacturer – they are not marked up. Payment is made directly to the hub store at the time of bottle pickup.
What Liquor Products are Included in the Lottery?
The Ohio Liquor Lottery primarily focuses on limited release bourbons and whiskies produced by popular distilleries such as Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, and Brown-Forman. Examples include brands like Pappy Van Winkle, William Larue Weller, Eagle Rare, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. Supply of these bottles is extremely constrained nationwide due to high demand, so distillers allocate very limited quantities to Ohio. For perspective, the entire state may only receive a couple hundred bottles of the rarest Pappy Van Winkle expressions each year.
In addition to bourbons and whiskies, other popular and rare liquor types are sometimes included in the lottery system. These could include limited release tequilas from producers like Casa Dragones or Clase Azul, rare scotches such as The Macallan or Glenfiddich, and highly sought after vodkas including Iichiko. The specific products offered through the lottery vary throughout the year based on what items the Division of Liquor Control is able to obtain from manufacturers.
The Ohio Liquor Lottery typically conducts drawings 2-3 times per month. Upcoming lottery entry periods and product listings are posted on the Division of Liquor Control’s website about two weeks prior to each drawing. Products are often kept confidential until the start of the entry period to prevent early speculation and hype. Entries remain blind until the drawing occurs. Some of the most exclusive items, such as Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year, may only be offered once or twice per year.
Are there Restrictions on Reselling Lottery Bottles?
Yes, the state of Ohio prohibits lottery winners from reselling their bottles. Lottery entry forms require the participant to acknowledge that bottles are intended solely for personal use and consumption, not for resale. Any resale or attempted resale is strictly forbidden. Violators face penalties including criminal prosecution, ban from future participation in the lottery program, and forfeiture of current and future lottery prizes and winnings.
These anti-resale restrictions are intended to deter the rampant flipping that occurs with rare liquor products in the absence of a lottery system. For example, bottles of Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year sold at retail for around $99 before demand dramatically drove up secondary market prices to $1,500 or more per bottle. The lottery aims to get these exclusives into the hands of genuine drinking enthusiasts who will open and enjoy them.
Has the Ohio Liquor Lottery Been Successful?
By most accounts, the lottery program has been deemed a success since its launch in 2014. While no system is perfect, the lottery has largely achieved its dual goals of fairly distributing limited liquor products and curtailing the secondary resale market.
Customer feedback on the lottery system has generally been quite positive. Many Ohio residents appreciate that they actually have a legitimate chance to purchase rare bottles that would normally be snapped up instantly. It levels the playing field compared to standing in line or constantly checking stores. The fact that prices are fixed at MSRP also garners praise from participants.
For the state, the lottery provides order and control over the release of coveted liquor items. Prior to its inception, the launch of rare products would create chaos at local liquor agencies. People would camp out overnight, sometimes in massive lines stretching around blocks, leading to bottle shortages and unruly behavior. The lottery release is now civilized and conducted safely under strict regulations.
Despite some early skepticism, the anti-resale rules appear to be working. There is little evidence of lottery bottles making their way to secondary markets in significant volume. Most winners seem to be genuine whiskey aficionados interested in drinking, not flipping, these bottles. Enforcing the ban on resale has been manageable for the state liquor control authorities.
One minor critique involves convenience – traveling to stores to enter and pick up bottles is less than ideal. Some have suggested allowing online lottery registration and distribution through local liquor agencies. Overall though, most view the current system as vastly superior to the previous free-for-all.
In Conclusion
The Ohio Liquor Lottery has by and large been deemed a successful experiment in fairly and systematically allocating rare and limited release liquors. The lottery provides every resident an equal shot at buying ultra-rare bourbons, whiskies, and other spirits that would otherwise immediately disappear from shelves. Anti-resale rules also help deter aggressive flipping activity. While no system is perfect, Ohio’s lottery has helped reduce chaos, enhance public safety, and improve consumer satisfaction and access. Support remains high to continue and potentially even expand the lottery mechanism to more liquor products in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enter the Ohio Liquor Lottery?
You must be an Ohio resident aged 21 or older to enter. Visit any designated lottery hub store during the posted entry period for the product you want to try to purchase. At the store, fill out and submit the lottery entry form. There is a limit of one entry per person per product. You can enter various lotteries concurrently during an entry period.
What information is required on the lottery entry form?
The entry form requires your full legal name, home address, phone number, email address, and date of birth. You must verify you are an Ohio resident and are over 21 years old. You also must agree that any bottle won is for personal use only, not for resale.
How are the lottery winners chosen?
At the close of the entry period, a computerized random drawing is held to select the winners. The number of names drawn equals the number of available bottles for that product. The drawing is conducted by the Division of Liquor Control and overseen by the Ohio Lottery Commission.
How and when are the lottery winners notified?
The Division of Liquor Control contacts lottery winners by phone and/or email within 48 hours after the drawing. Winners have 24 hours from notification to claim their bottle. Unclaimed bottles are then awarded to entrants on the alternate list.
Can I enter the lottery in multiple locations to improve my odds?
No, you may only enter once per product. Duplicate entries are disqualified. The entry form requires you to attest that you have not entered multiple times.
Where do I pick up my liquor lottery bottle if I win?
Bottles must be picked up from the same hub store location where you originally entered the lottery. You will need to present valid photo ID and your original signed entry form to receive the bottle. Payment is made directly to the store at pickup.
Can I resell my bottle if I win the lottery?
Absolutely not. Reselling lottery bottles is strictly prohibited. Entry forms require you to consent that any bottles won will be for personal use and consumption only, not resale. Violators face penalties including criminal charges, bans from future lotteries, and forfeiture of prizes.
How much does a lottery bottle cost if I win?
Lottery bottles are sold at the standard MSRP set by the manufacturer. The state does not markup the price. You pay the same amount you would at any basic retail purchase of that product.
How often are lottery drawings held?
Drawings are typically conducted 2-3 times per month. However, ultra rare products may only be offered once or twice per year. Check the Division of Liquor Control’s website for the latest lottery schedules.
Can I improve my chances by entering every lottery?
Yes, entering every lottery for every product will maximize your chances. However, you are still limited to just one entry per product. Random chance ultimately determines the winners.
Ohio Liquor Lottery Products
Here are some examples of popular liquor products that have previously been offered through the Ohio Liquor Lottery:
| Brand | Product |
|---|---|
| Pappy Van Winkle | 15 Year Family Reserve |
| Pappy Van Winkle | 20 Year Family Reserve |
| Pappy Van Winkle | 23 Year Family Reserve |
| Buffalo Trace | Antique Collection |
| Buffalo Trace | Eagle Rare 17 |
| William Larue Weller | Bourbon |
| E.H. Taylor | Barrel Proof |
| George T. Stagg | Bourbon |
| Blanton’s | Single Barrel |
| Elijah Craig | 18 Year Old |
| Elijah Craig | Barrel Proof |
| Four Roses | Limited Edition Small Batch |
| Michter’s | 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon |
| Old Forester | Birthday Bourbon |
| The Macallan | Fine Oak Series |
| Glenfiddich | 21 Year Gran Reserva Rum Cask |
Ohio Liquor Lottery Entry Rules
Here is a summary of the key rules and procedures for entering and participating in the Ohio Liquor Lottery:
- Must be an Ohio resident aged 21 or older
- One entry per person per product
- No duplicate or multiple entries allowed
- Enter at designated lottery hub stores during posted entry periods
- Complete official lottery entry form in-person at the store
- Random computer drawing selects winners after entry closes
- Winners contacted within 48 hours of drawing
- 24 hours to claim prize from time of notification
- Photo ID and entry form required to collect bottle
- Bottles intended solely for personal use and consumption
- Reselling prohibited – penalties strictly enforced
- Lottery bottles sold at MSRP (no markup)
Ohio Division of Liquor Control Contact Information
For any questions regarding the Ohio Liquor Lottery, you may contact the Division of Liquor Control via the following:
- Phone: (614) 644-2360
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: 6606 Tussing Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
- Website: https://www.com.ohio.gov/liqr
The direct phone line for the Supplier Services permit office is (614) 644-2411. Call this number for inquiries about liquor permits, rules, and regulations.
Be sure to check the Division’s website for the latest lottery announcements, drawing dates, participating locations, FAQs, and more. Sign up for email updates about new lotteries and products.
Applying Similar Lottery Systems to Other Limited Release Products
The apparent success of the Ohio Liquor Lottery has led some to speculate whether similar lottery mechanisms could be applied to other limited release or highly coveted retail products:
Sneaker Lottery
Limited edition sneaker releases from brands like Nike, Adidas, and Yeezy often sell out instantly and get resold at huge markups. A lottery system could give regular customers fair access for must-have kicks.
Console Lottery
New gaming console drops like the PS5 and Xbox Series X are plagued by instant sellouts and purchases by bots for resale. Lotteries could help deter scalping and get consoles into legitimate gamers’ hands.
Graphics Card Lottery
PC gamers struggle to buy new graphics cards like Nvidia RTX 3080s for non-inflated prices amid crypto mining demand. A lottery for hot GPU releases could make the process more equitable.
Hot Toy Lottery
Parents compete fiercely every holiday season for that year’s impossible-to-find hot toy, like a Tickle Me Elmo. Lotteries for the season’s most popular toys could ease the stress.
These limited product categories share parallels with allocated liquor – intense demand, low supply, instant sellouts, and problematic resale. It’s easy to imagine how lottery systems – if implemented fairly and legally – could help everyday consumers gain reasonable access to products that scalpers and bots would otherwise snap up.
Conclusion
The Ohio Liquor Lottery has by and large been a successful experiment in allocating rare and coveted bourbons, whiskies, and other spirits. By giving every Ohio resident an equal chance at buying ultra-limited liquor releases, the lottery promotes fairness and curbs the secondary resale market. While no system is perfect, Ohio’s lottery mechanism has eased consumer frustrations and enhanced public safety and satisfaction. The lottery’s early achievements have some wondering if similar systems could be effective for other limited release retail products plagued by instant reselling. However, complex legal and commercial logistics would need resolution. Overall, the Ohio Liquor Lottery stands as an innovative approach in rationing scarce, in-demand goods to their true end users and fans.