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Games of Skill Retailer License and Endorsement
Since the permanent legalization of games of skill by the D.C. Council in November 2020, on-premises alcohol retailers and manufacturers have been eligible to install and operate up to five devices on their licensed premises.
A Games of Skill Endorsement from the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) and a Games of Skill Retailer License from the DC Office of Lottery and Gaming (OLG) have both been required. However, starting October 1, 2025, ABCA will be responsible for issuing both. To get a Games of Skill Retailer License, applicants must complete and submit a Games of Skill License Application.
To get a Games of Skill Endorsement:
Requests are subject to approval by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis (ABC) Board.
Additional changes include:
- The annual games of skill retailer license fee will remain $300, while the annual games of skill endorsement fee will increase from $200 to $500.
- Manufacturer Class A or B licensed venues will no longer be required to have an
On-Site Sales and Consumption Permit to offer games of skill.
Additional information about Games of Skill Licenses and Endorsements is available on ABCA’s website.
Direct licensing questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
Commercial Bingo Endorsement
Beginning on October 1, 2025, On-Premises Retailers in DC will be required to hold a Commercial Bingo Endorsement from ABCA, in addition to a Commercial Bingo License from OLG, in order to be eligible to offer commercial bingo in the District. The annual endorsement fee is $300.
The new commercial bingo endorsement was part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Support Emergency Act of 2025, which took effect on September 3, 2025, and applies to commercial bingo in all formats, including print and digital.
To get an endorsement:
Requests are subject to approval by the ABC Board. For an endorsement to be issued, an applicant must first be approved by OLG for a license.
Additional Commercial Bingo Endorsement information is available on ABCA’s website.
Direct licensing questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
New I.D. Checking Guides Available
Starting Wednesday, October 1, the most current I.D. Checking Guide—USA and Canada and International editions will be available for pick up at no cost to alcohol licensed businesses on a first-come, first-serve basis from ABCA’s office. Guides are being made available at no cost through funds from the U.S. DoT/NHTSA and DC HSO/United We Go.
Both of these guides are specifically designed to help venue staff spot fake IDs and are updated regularly to reflect license design changes.
They provide:
- ID formats from various countries and territories
- Details for how to check for security elements like holograms, UV light features, and tactile text.
- Simplified tools for quickly calculating legal age thresholds.
ABCA’s office is open between 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, and is located at 899 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 4200A, Washington, DC 20002.
Previous expired guide versions should be discarded.
License holders are reminded that ABCA conducts underage drinking compliance checks year-round. The sale of alcoholic beverages to minors may result in the issuance of fines and/or license suspension and/or revocation.
Accordingly, licensees are strongly encouraged to pick up complimentary ID Checking Guides for their staff and to enroll them in ABCA’s ID Compliance virtual training, which is offered on a quarterly basis. Registration is open for the next training to be held on Monday, October 20, at 10:00 a.m.
Extended Hours
Alcohol sales and service may be extended until 4:00 a.m. for registered businesses during the following holiday weekends and special events during the indicated dates.
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend | Registration Deadline: Monday,
September 15 (closed) Extended hours start the evening of Friday, October 10, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, October 13.
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Veterans Day Weekend | Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 14 Extended hours start the evening of Friday, November 7, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 9, and the evening of Tuesday, November 11, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12.
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Thanksgiving Day Weekend | Registration Deadline: Monday, October 27
Extended hours start the evening of Wednesday, November 26, and end at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 30.
Applications for the standard extended holiday hours program are accepted on a rolling basis, and there is no registration fee.
View the 2025 Extended Holiday Hours Schedule. Eligible holidays for the 2026 calendar year will be announced in late fall 2025.
Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025. Clocks must “fall back,” or be turned back at 2:00 a.m. by one (1) hour on this date to 1:00 a.m. Licensees that normally end alcohol service at 2:00 a.m. will automatically gain an additional hour to sell and serve alcoholic beverages.
Licensees that have a Settlement Agreement or ABC Board Order limiting closing hours to 1:00 a.m. or earlier are not eligible to participate.
Deadlines: Annual Payments, Renewals, Quarterly Compliance Renewals
Annual Payments
Class B Wholesaler, Manufacturer and Retailer license holders must submit third-year annual payments by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Licensees who fail to submit payment by the deadline will be subject to late fees. View the license fee and renewal schedule.
Invoices were emailed in mid-August. If you have not received your invoice or would like to request a payment link, email ABCA’s Licensing Division at ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov. Please include "Annual Payment" in the subject line and the trade name, license number, licensed premises address, mailing address, and phone number in the email body.
Direct licensing questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
License Renewals
Tavern, Nightclub, Bed & Breakfast, or Third-Party Delivery alcohol licenses are nearing expiration and must be renewed by Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
In August, licensees were emailed a renewal packet with the subject line "Alcohol License Renewal Enclosed" from ABCA.Renewals@dc.gov. If you did not receive this email, please first check your spam folder and then email ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov for assistance as needed.
Please be advised that you will only be able to renew your license if ownership information for your business is current and approved by the ABC Board. If the ownership structure has changed, you must apply and be approved for a Change of Officer, Director, Partner or apply to transfer ownership before you submit renewal materials.
Failure to do so may impact your ability to renew your license by the expiration deadline and may result in late fees and/or license suspension or revocation.
If you do not want to renew your license, you must submit a License Cancellation Application.
Direct licensing questions to ABCA.AlcoholLicensing@dc.gov.
Compliance Filing Deadline
Hotel, Restaurant, and Brew Pub license holders must file a quarterly statement by Thursday, October 30, detailing sales and expense activity that occurred between July 1 and September 30, 2025. Filings must be submitted online.
Compliance filings must be submitted regardless of whether alcohol, food sales, and expenditures total zero. Failure to submit timely and accurate reports may result in penalties, license suspension or revocation, or affect renewal eligibility.
Direct compliance questions to ABCA.Compliance@dc.gov.
Training and Information Sessions
ABCA offers training and information sessions throughout the year. Offerings are virtual and free with advanced registration. Select recordings and presentations from our most recent training and information sessions are available online.
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Alcohol Licensing 101 - This course introduces new and prospective alcohol license holders—specifically on-premises and off-premises retailers and manufacturers— to ABCA and key basics. Registration is open for the next training to be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
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ID Compliance Training - This course focuses on preventing underage drinking by reducing youth access to alcohol through retailer education. The course covers topics including tips for ID verification, resources, and the Sale to Minor program. Registration is open for the next training to be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. This training is being made available at no cost through funds from the U.S. DoT/NHTSA and DC HSO/United We Go.
Legislative Update
North Shaw Moratorium Zone
Emergency rules adopted by the ABC Board on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, will expire on Wednesday, October 1. The moratorium, as requested by the Westminster Neighborhood Association, caps the number of Nightclub, Tavern, and Multipurpose Facility licenses and prohibits the issuance of new Entertainment Endorsements for any On-Premises licensed Restaurant or Tavern within 600 feet in all directions from 1909 9th Street NW. Other stipulations apply. Additional details can be found in the rulemaking.
Gateway/Langdon Park Moratorium Zone
Emergency and proposed rules adopted by the ABC Board on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, will expire on Wednesday, October 1. The moratorium, as requested by the Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 5C, maintains a prohibition on issuing new Retailer Class CN or DN (Nightclub) licenses. The previous cap on Multipurpose Facilities, Restaurants, and Taverns was lifted previously. Additional details can be found in the rulemaking.
Direct moratorium questions to ABCA.Legal@dc.gov.
ABCA Office Closures
ABCA will be closed for the following dates and reopen at 8:30 a.m. on the following business day:
- Monday, October 13 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day
- Tuesday, November 11 | Veterans Day
- Thursday, November 27 | Thanksgiving Day
The ABC Board will be in recess on the following dates:
- Wednesday, October 15
- Wednesday, November 12
- Wednesday, November 26
The ABC Board and Office Calendar are on ABCA's website
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