A Circle K store manager in Scottsdale, Arizona, faces a legal battle over a $12.8 million lottery ticket he allegedly purchased from his own store. The convenience chain filed suit in Maricopa County Superior Court, asking a judge to determine who legally owns the jackpot-winning ticket. It's one of the largest lottery prizes in Arizona history.

Here's how it unfolded: On November 24, 2025, a customer left 25 lottery tickets behind at the Circle K on East Bell Road after buying $60 worth but paying for only $60 of $85 in tickets printed. One of those abandoned tickets matched all six numbers in The Pick drawing that night. The next morning, store manager Robert Gawlitza allegedly clocked out, changed out of his uniform, and had another employee ring up the remaining tickets—including the winner—for just $10 before signing the back.

Circle K cited Arizona Administrative Code rules stating retailers own tickets printed but not sold to customers. However, the company stopped short of claiming outright ownership, instead asking the court to decide whether the ticket was validly sold and who gets the $12.8 million jackpot. The Arizona Lottery, named as a defendant, says it's never encountered such a situation before. With the 180-day claim deadline approaching on May 23, 2026, the court's decision could set a precedent for similar cases nationwide.