News writer
A store manager in Arizona is accused of buying the winning ticket for a lottery drawing only after verifying that the ticket matched all six of the winning numbers. We now have a legal battle on our hands, as the parties are fighting over the $12.8 million jackpot ticket. This winning ticket was printed at a Circle K shop in Scottsdale. The lawsuit was filed in Maricopa County Superior Court by Circle K stores.
Why didn't the customer pay for the ticket?
On November 24, 2025, a customer went to the Circle K, which is located at 5601 E. Bell Road in Scottsdale. The tickets were for The Pick drawing that evening. The customer used previously played lottery numbers.
The employee printed $85 worth of tickets for this customer. However, they only paid for $60 worth of them. They then left the store without paying for the best.
That night, the Arizona Lottery revealed the winning numbers: 3, 13, 14, 15, 19, and 26. The $12.8 million jackpot was the fourth-largest in The Pick’s history.
Manager buys winning ticket
The next day, Robert Gawlitza, the Circle K store manager, heard that a winning lottery ticket was sold at the store. He remembered the tickets left by the customer the day before, so he went searching for them and found them.
It turns out that one of those tickets left behind was the winning ticket. That is when Gawlitza clocked out, removed his Circle K uniform, and bought the remaining ticket, including that jackpot-winning ticket. He then signed the back of the ticket, which winners are instructed to do.
Shortly after this took place, management at Circle K found out what had taken place. They directed that the ticket be secured at the company's corporate office.
The company is seeking a ruling from the court
This is where things get interesting. Circle K filed the lawsuit. However, they aren't saying they are the rightful owners. Instead, they want the courts to determine who is legally entitled to the money.
Both Gawlitza and the Arizona Lottery are named in the lawsuit. Circle K is looking to resolve competing claims before any payout is made.
There is an Administrative Code provision in Arizona. What does this mean? If a lottery retailer generates a ticket that a customer refuses to buy and the retailer doesn't resell it, then the ticket becomes the property of the retailer. That's where things get sketchy, as Gawlitza did technically buy the tickets, so they were resold. Circle K cited this rule in its complaint. They are asking the court to clarify how it applies in this unusual situation.
Claim deadline adds urgency
In Arizona, winning lottery tickets have 180 days from the drawing date to be claimed. The deadline in this instance is May 23, 2026.
This only makes an already high-stakes dispute even more urgent. As the court considers who is entitled to one of the largest lottery winnings in the state in recent memory, the $12.8 million ticket remains in limbo.
Enjoy playing the Arizona Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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