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Know your relevant State and Local laws

Violations of state liquor law go on every day. However, many people don’t realize they’re violating them. Without a proper understanding of Missouri state liquor laws, a well-intentioned party could result in a felony or misdemeanor violation or a civil lawsuit related to alcohol use.

Without a proper understanding of Missouri state liquor laws, a well-intentioned party could result in a felony or misdemeanor violation or a civil lawsuit related to alcohol use. Violations of state liquor law go on every day. However, many people don’t realize they’re violating them.

Did you know the following are illegal in Missouri?

1. Offering alcohol as a prize during a contest or raffle
2. Requiring people to pay to enter the event

Also, did you know that you could be responsible for something that happens after your event? If a guest leaves a party intoxicated and gets into an accident, the host could be held civilly responsible. You may not know this, but your paycheck could be garnished for the rest of your life due to a party you host in college.



Keg Registration

According to Missouri state law, all retailers selling beer kegs must register the keg and affix a seal on the keg at the time of sale. The retailer will log the purchaser’s name, address, and the acknowledgement of proper use and care of the keg. If a keg is confiscated by the police at a party at which underage persons have consumed alcohol, the purchaser of the keg can be identified, fined and arrested. If a keg is returned with an ID tag defaced or missing, the deposit fee required at the time of sale is forfeited.

Providing Alcohol as a Prize

It is illegal under Missouri law to use alcohol as a prize in a raffle or other giveaway.

Poker Tournaments and Texas Hold’em

Any of these types of activities are illegal if someone has to pay a fee to play. This includes anything that is equal to an exchangeable transfer of money, such as if someone has to buy a drink or pay a cover charge before playing or is required to purchase food or drink in order to play. However, this activity is not illegal if a group of people sit down to play for fun, and no money is exchanged in any of these ways. But, any sort of buy-in makes the game illegal.

Using Posters to Advertise Alcohol at Your Event

If a group or establishment has a liquor license the use of posters to advertise alcohol is regulated by the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. If any student organization is licensed to sell alcohol, the use of posters to advertise alcohol for events is also regulated. This means that it is illegal for these licensed organizations or establishments to advertise anything about drink specials, reduced pricing or a specific price of drinks on a poster. This also includes advertisements using television, the internet, flyers, newspapers or radio.

Homes that Host Underage Drinking

According to section 311.310(2) of Missouri Liquor Law, any owner, occupant, or other person with a lawful right to the use and enjoyment of any property who knowingly allows any person under 21 to consume alcohol on their property or who knowingly fails to stop a minor from drinking on their property shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses will result in stiffer penalties.

In addition to the above laws, social host liability laws hold individuals responsible for underage drinking events on property they own, lease or otherwise control. In many cities and counties, social host liability ordinances provide a combination of criminal and civil penalties, ranging from fines and administrative fees to jail time. Even though the owner or renter of the property where the party was held may not have caused the incident or provided the alcohol, they can still be held legally responsible. That is definitely something to remember the next time you host a party.