The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) was created by state law on Nov. 29, 1933, at the end of Prohibition. Seventeen states (including Pennsylvania) and jurisdictions in Alaska, Maryland, Minnesota, and South Dakota control the sale of distilled spirits and, in some cases, wine and beer through government agencies at the wholesale level. Thirteen of those jurisdictions (including Pennsylvania) also exercise control over retail sales for off-premises consumption. The agency is governed by a three-member Board whose members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by two-thirds of the state Senate.

The mission of the PLCB is to responsibly sell wine and spirits as a retailer and wholesaler, regulate Pennsylvania's alcohol industry, promote alcohol education and social responsibility and maximize financial returns for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians. The PLCB regulates the manufacture, importation, sale, distribution and disposition of liquor, alcohol, and malt or brewed beverages in the commonwealth. The agency issues licenses to private individuals or entities that wish to engage in wholesale operations of beer, either as an importing distributor or as a distributor. The agency is also responsible for wholesale distribution of wine and spirits, which licensees may pick up from state-operated Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores or licensee service centers or have delivered from PLCB distribution centers.

The PLCB operates 857,000 square feet of warehouse space, the equivalent of almost 20 acres, contracted with two privately held Pennsylvania distribution center companies. In fiscal year 2022-23, 18.7 million cases of wine and spirits were shipped from the distribution centers.

Nearly 600 Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, including more than 100 Premium Collection stores and 13 licensee service centers, are leased from private landlords, infusing more than $63.2 million into the Pennsylvania economy.

The PLCB's Bureau of Alcohol Education provides a comprehensive program to prevent underage and dangerous drinking, including:

The PLCB's Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) training assists licensees with identifying fraudulent IDs, preventing sales to minors, recognizing and handling visibly intoxicated patrons and understanding liability issues. In fiscal year 2022-23, a total of 6,731 owners and managers and 104,273 servers and sellers were trained through RAMP.