Booze News

Here’s the Final Nail in the Wine Kiosk Program’s Coffin

Game over
Game over Photo: courtesy of PLCB

The proverbial other shoe just dropped in the LCB’s ongoing wine kiosk drama. According to the Inky, an audit conducted by State Auditor General Jack Wagner found that the controversial program has cost taxpayers more than $1 million, and that’s not even factoring in the 30 percent markup placed on each bottle of booze the state sells. The state’s audit and the fact that the LCB is in a bitter fight with the kiosks’ maker, will likely spell the end for the much maligned and ridiculed experiment. It’s also bound to provide plenty of ammo for privatization proponents this fall when lawmakers address the future of the state’s roll in the liquor sales.

Wagner, who was reportedly prompted to audit the program following the LCB’s abrupt decision last year to pull the plug on the kiosks right before the holiday season, is saying that not only are the kiosks wasteful, they’re also a complete failure. His solution? Make radical changes to the program or kill it altogether. With the LCB currently battling the machine’s makers, the latter is more likely going to be the outcome.
Pa. audit says overhaul costly wine kiosks or scrap them [Inquirer]
Earlier: It’s Game Over For PLCB’s ‘Worst Idea Ever’

Here’s the Final Nail in the Wine Kiosk Program’s Coffin