California Code, Business and Professions Code - BPC § 23961

(a)(1) If, at the conclusion of the period prescribed by the department for the filing of applications for issuance or transfer of on-sale general licenses or off-sale general licenses in any county in its notice of intention to receive applications therefor published pursuant to Sections 23821 and 24070, the department finds that there are more applicants for the particular type of license than there are licenses available for issuance or transfer under Sections 23821 and 24070the department shall, within 60 days following the conclusion of said period, conduct a drawing to determine the priority in which all of such applications filed with it shall be considered. No more than one such drawing shall be made in any county in any one year, and no person will be entitled to more than one opportunity to participate in such a drawing in any county with respect to an application for issuance or transfer of any one type of license. The number drawn by any applicant shall indicate the priority to be given to the consideration of the application but shall not insure the issuance of a license by the department.

(2) In order to participate in the drawing, an applicant shall pay a fee in an amount equal to the fee for licenses identified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 23320. Any participant that does not file a formal application shall receive a refund of the fee less a service charge of one hundred dollars ($100). Any participant that files a formal application and whose application is thereafter denied or withdrawn is entitled to the refund specified in Section 23320.