CareersCLIENT ALERT | HOSPITALITY & LIQUOR CONTROL | AUGUST 2024
Alcohol Sales and Ohio Mobile ID
Ohio recently announced a new Ohio Mobile ID option, which allows users to access a digital copy of their Ohio driver’s license through Apple Wallet. This has prompted questions from Ohio’s retail liquor permit holders regarding the acceptability of Ohio Mobile ID for age verification in connection with alcohol sales.
Ohio Division of Liquor Control has recently released guidance outlining the requirements that a liquor permit holder must meet in order to accept Ohio Mobile ID for alcohol sales. In order to accept Ohio Mobile ID, the permit holder will need to acquire hardware or software capable of verifying the legitimacy of the customer’s Ohio Mobile ID. This is most frequently in the form of an ISO 18013-5 compliant tap terminal, which uses the same technology as contactless payment to scan a customer’s phone and validate the ID. Alternatively, permit holders can use the Ohio Mobile ID Check app on compatible devices to validate an ID.
Permit holders should be aware that an Ohio Mobile ID must first be verified by one of the above methods prior to being accepted for alcohol sales. It is not permissible for a customer to simply “show” their Ohio Mobile ID. Additionally, Ohio Division of Liquor Control has not stated that mobile IDs from states other than Ohio are acceptable.
Further, acceptance of Ohio Mobile ID is fully optional and any business holding a liquor permit may choose not to accept an Ohio Mobile ID for any reason.
If you have any questions regarding the matters covered in this alert, please reach out to the lawyer(s) listed below or your usual Walter Haverfield contact.
John N. Neal | Partner & Chair | Hospitality & Liquor Control | 216.619.7866 | jneal@walterhav.com
Alexander R. Bibisi | Associate | Hospitality & Liquor Control | 216.658.6217 | abibisi@walterhav.com
This communication is for general information only. It is not a full analysis of the matters presented and should not be relied upon as legal advice. This may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions.