Idaho State Liquor Division

What Idaho State Liquor Division does

The Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD) is a division of the Office of the Governor of Idaho, established in 1935 following the repeal of Prohibition and operating continuously from a central office at 1349 E. Beechcraft Ct., Boise. It functions as a state-controlled alcohol monopoly with exclusive authority over the importation, distribution, and retail sale of distilled spirits in Idaho under Title 23 of the Idaho Code. Idaho is one of 17 control states (plus four Maryland counties) in the U.S., a structural model that accounts for approximately 27% of the U.S. population. ISLD distributes revenue from spirits sales to state programs, the General Fund, all 44 Idaho counties, and 200 cities.

ISLD operates a centralized distribution and retail platform anchored by a Boise-based bailment warehouse equipped with an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) that handles inbound freight scheduling via Opendock and distributes more than 1,000,000 cases annually across an 83,000-square-mile territory. Retail is executed through 174 outlets: 68 state-operated liquor stores staffed by ISLD employees and 106 contract stores operated by special distributors in private businesses; on-premise licensees (bars and restaurants) purchase distilled spirits through this same channel. Supplier-facing operations include a Supplier/Broker Portal, a Licensee Portal, an ISLD Pricing Calculator (built on a two-tier proof-based mark-up formula), a PQRS Assistant for product performance management, a Listing Committee, a Special Order program, a Supplier Price Allowance (SPA) discount mechanism, Display Programming, and State Store tasting events. The division also administers an Educational Mini Grant Program funded by a $60,000 NABCA award that supports underage drinking prevention across schools, nonprofits, and law enforcement.

ISLD generates revenue through retail mark-ups on distilled spirits, returning roughly $114 million to Idaho in FY2025 and nearly $1 billion cumulatively over 2015-2025, with a forward projection of $1.2 billion over the next decade. The organization is staffed by approximately 75 people (22 central office, 14 warehouse, 3 district managers, plus retail store staff) and operates under a cost-plus distribution model that prioritizes state revenue maximization over commercial profitability, with margins directed back to taxpayers rather than shareholders.

Name

Idaho State Liquor Division

Legal name

Idaho State Liquor Division

Website

https://liquor.idaho.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD) is a state government division under the Office of the Governor that holds exclusive statutory authority over the importation, distribution, and retail sale of distilled spirits in Idaho, operating 174 retail outlets and a centralized Boise warehouse serving consumers, on-premise licensees, and suppliers statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

State-Controlled Liquor Retail and Distribution

NAICS

Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquor Stores (General Off-Premise) (CRANAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA), Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits) (AFAIAGAA)

Keywords

• State liquor control
• Distilled spirits retail
• Alcohol distribution
• Beverage regulation
• Retail liquor stores

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Distilled Spirits Retail Sales: ISLD generates revenue through sale of distilled spirits in state-operated liquor stores and authorized contract retail stores. Every dollar earned goes directly back to Idaho communities, reducing reliance on various forms of taxation. Revenue is distributed to state programs, the General Fund, and 44 counties and 200 cities.
2. NABCA Education Grant: ISLD receives a $60,000 annual education award from the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) to support the Educational Mini Grant Program for underage drinking prevention and alcohol misuse education.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Idaho State Liquor Division is the state-controlled wholesaler and retailer of distilled spirits in Idaho, operating 174 retail outlets (68 state-operated liquor stores and 106 contract retail stores) and a centralized Boise warehouse with an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) that distributes more than 1,000,000 cases annually across 83,000 square miles. It is a division of the Office of the Governor of Idaho, established in 1935, and channels 100% of net revenue to state programs, counties, and cities. The division also administers product listing, supplier pricing, licensing, special orders, supplier promotional programs, and educational mini grants funded through NABCA.

Product overview

Idaho State Liquor Division operates as a state government agency managing the importation, distribution, and retail sale of distilled spirits in Idaho. The organization operates a core retail platform consisting of 174 outlets (68 state-operated stores and 106 contract operators), supported by a central bailment warehouse with Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) distribution capabilities. The product portfolio includes core regulatory services (product listing committee, liquor licensing), operational platforms (Supplier/Broker Portal, Licensee Portal, Pricing Calculator, PQRS Assistant), and value-add programs (Display Programming, Special Orders, SPA discounting, State Store Tasting Events, Educational Mini Grants). The division generates approximately $114 million annually in net revenue for the state of Idaho.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Idaho State Liquor Division Retail Operations State-operated and contract retail liquor stores selling distilled spirits to consumers. The division operates 68 state liquor stores staffed by division employees and 106 contract operators throughout Idaho, providing off-premise access to distilled spirits.
• Bailment Warehouse and Distribution Services Central warehouse and distribution center in Boise that receives, stores, and distributes over 1,000,000 cases annually across 83,000 square miles, using an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) for inventory management.
• Liquor Regulatory Services Authority for regulation, licensing, and oversight of distilled spirits importation, distribution, sale, and consumption in Idaho under Title 23, Idaho Code and IDAPA rules, including issuance of licenses and permits.
• Product Listing Services Listing Committee process for reviewing and approving new spirits products for the Idaho market, with monthly meetings (January through September and November) for supplier product submissions.
• Display Programming Floor and rack display opportunities for suppliers to merchandise products in ISLD retail stores during 30-day or 60-day promotional periods.
• State Store Tasting Events In-store product tasting program at Idaho State Liquor Stores, allowing suppliers to offer samples to consumers during approved 2-hour events held Tuesday-Friday evenings 5-7pm and Saturday afternoons 2-4pm, with supplier requests submitted 45 days in advance.
• Supplier Price Allowance (SPA) Program Promotional discount mechanism for suppliers offering temporary price reductions, with 30-day duration, minimum 5% discount requirement, maximum of two back-to-back SPAs, and a maximum of 6 SPAs per item, per size, per calendar year, subject to category floor prices.
• Educational Mini Grant Program Annual $60,000 education award program funded through NABCA to support schools, nonprofits, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations in alcohol misuse prevention and underage drinking education efforts across Idaho.

Quantifiable outcome

• $114 Million returned to Idaho communities in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Upriver Youth Leadership CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Conducts Virtual Reality (VR) Alcohol Awareness Program to reduce underage drinking and promote responsible choices in Idaho communities.
• Salmon Substance Abuse Prevention CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Implements the "Every 30 Minutes" Underage Drinking Project and Media Campaign in Idaho.
• Boise Police DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Uses funds for SureScan ID authentication renewal and BrAC measurement devices for enforcement efforts.
• Insight Matters, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Distributes Parent Prevention Resource Packets to support family-based alcohol prevention.
• Canyon Springs Alternative SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Conducts Alcohol Awareness Campaign targeting students.
• Boise State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Conducts Wellness Services Alcohol Use Screening Days on campus.
• Idaho Drug Free YouthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Hosts the 2024 Idaho Youth Summit (IYS) for youth alcohol prevention.
• City of CaldwellminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Implements "Say No to Underage Drinking" Campaign in the community.
• Kootenai County Substance Abuse CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Conducts My Choice program and Lunch & Learn sessions for substance abuse prevention.
• Idaho State PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Conducts Education and Enforcement Efforts through ISP/ABC to promote responsible alcohol consumption.
• Idaho Office of Drug PolicyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Implements Sticker Shock Campaign to prevent underage drinking.
• Idaho Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20242024-2025 ISLD Educational Mini Grant recipient. Supports the Idaho Prevention and Support Conference for educator training.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Montgomery County Department of Alcohol Beverage Services (Maryland): Montgomery County is one of the four Maryland counties with control-state authority. Operates retail liquor stores and wholesale distribution structurally identical to ISLD, serving as a sub-state control jurisdiction peer.
• Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB): Pennsylvania's state-controlled distilled spirits retailer and wholesaler. Like ISLD, PLCB operates a state monopoly over spirits distribution and retail via Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, with revenue flowing back to the state treasury.
• Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC): Oregon's state agency controlling distilled spirits distribution and retail. Operates a wholesale-to-retail model where the state warehouses spirits and ships to private retail agents, structurally similar to ISLD's wholesale function.
• Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery: Vermont's state-controlled spirits distributor and retailer. Operates spirits wholesale to agency stores and on-premise licensees, mirroring ISLD's combination of wholesale distribution and licensed retail.
• Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC): Virginia's state-controlled spirits retailer. Operates ~395 ABC stores with revenue returning to the state, performing the same combination of retail, wholesale distribution, and regulatory oversight as ISLD.
• New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC): New Hampshire's state-controlled liquor retail and wholesale operator. Operates 80+ state liquor stores and is one of the most direct control-state parallels to ISLD's retail-plus-distribution structure.
• Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC): Michigan's state agency controlling distilled spirits distribution and licensing. The MLCC's role in spirits wholesale and licensing is highly comparable to ISLD's regulatory and bailment warehouse operations.
• Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB): Washington's spirits and cannabis control agency. Despite partial privatization of retail, WSLCB still performs spirits distribution and regulatory functions comparable to ISLD's bailment warehouse and licensing oversight.
• Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS): Utah's control-state agency for distilled spirits retail and distribution. Operates state liquor stores and wholesale distribution to on-premise licensees, mirroring ISLD's core control-state distribution and retail model.

Others

• National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA): Trade association representing all 21 U.S. control jurisdictions. NABCA provides ISLD with the $60,000 annual education grant for the Mini Grant Program and maintains the Supplier/Broker Portal infrastructure that ISLD leverages.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/idaho-state-liquor-division

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Idaho State Liquor Division