MT Department of Revenue accepting lottery applications for 18 available liquor licenses

The Montana Department of Revenue announces 18 new liquor licenses in 11 communities and is accepting lottery applications. The licenses are available for Anaconda/Deer Lodge, Billings, Bozeman/Belgrade, Columbus, Darby, Dillon, Ekalaka, Fergus County, Kalispell, Liberty County and Missoula.

Every year, the department’s Liquor Control Division adjusts the number of licenses available in each quota area based on census population estimates. The division then advertises for license applications.

“This will be one of largest lottery offerings due to population changes in my memory,” said Shauna Helfert, Administrator, Liquor Control Division. “The populations in these areas increased just slightly enough to allow for these additional licenses.”

After reviewing this year’s population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, the department is adding the following licenses:

· Anaconda/Deer Lodge – 1 beer license
· Billings - 1 beer license; 1 restaurant beer and wine license
· Bozeman/Belgrade - 2 all-beverage floater licenses; 1 beer license; 1 restaurant beer and wine license
· Columbus - 2 all-beverage floater licenses; 1 beer license
· Darby - 1 beer license
· Dillon – 1 beer license
· Ekalaka – 1 all-beverage floater License
· Fergus County – 1 all-beverage
· Kalispell - 1 beer license
· Liberty County - 1 all-beverage license
· Missoula - 1 beer license; 1 restaurant beer and wine license

If the department receives more applications than licenses available, the department will hold a lottery in October. For an all-beverage floater license, the winning lottery candidate has the opportunity to buy a license in another quota area that is over the quota limit and “float” it into the advertised area.

“The availability of liquor licenses can be economically significant to a community because it usually means that an area may be getting a new business,” said Helfert. “This can only be good news for Main Streets in these communities.”

The Department of Revenue makes every effort to offer more convenient and efficient services to our licensees and the public. For more information about how to get the application, apply and the various alcohol license types and requirements, visit revenue.mt.gov. You can also contact our call center toll free at , in Helena 444-6900.