Pandemic caused a drinking boom in Pa. as liquor control board reports record sales, profits

Pennsylvanians bought more wine and liquor during the pandemic than ever before, according to financial numbers released Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Sales for the fiscal year ending June 30 totaled $2.9 billion, including sales taxes. It was $349.4 million — 13.7% — higher than the 2019-20 fiscal year, according to the PLCB.

Sales declined in 2019-20 because of the coronavirus pandemic and the shutdowns related to it. It was the first time in 26 years sales dipped. Despite the sales decline, PLCB recorded a record net profit of $208.7 million in 2019-20. That figure was eclipsed in 2020-21, when net profit was $264.9 million, a nearly 27% increase.

“This year, sales rebounded to a new record high,” PLCB spokesman Shawn Kelly said.

The high sales volume offset increases in operating expenses or decreases in revenue from license fees, which the state waived last year to help businesses get through the pandemic.

The PLCB contributed $813.4 million to state and local governments in the fiscal year, and it made $764.8 million in contributions to the state’s general fund, which helps pay for education, health and human services programs and law enforcement.

Those contributions included $415.8 million in liquor tax, $163.9 million in sales tax and $185.1 million in other cash transfers, according to a PLCB release.

State Police received $29.5 million, Allegheny and Philadelphia counties received $9.6 million in local sales taxes, and municipalities received $1.8 million in licensing fees.

The PLCB also contributed $5.3 million to fund drug and alcohol programs.

“This is an overview of the fiscal year,” Kelly said.

A more detailed report that shows the most popular wines and spirits in the state and sales figures broken down by county will be released later this year.