Published on: May 18, 2026, 06:16h.

Updated on: May 18, 2026, 06:16h.

• Judge halts deadline for contested $12.8 million Arizona lottery win
• Ex-Circle K manager alleges he bought winning ticket post-drawing
• Court looks for original buyer amid growing ownership conflict

A legal contention between Circle K and a former staff member regarding the rightful owner of a $12.8 million Arizona lottery ticket now has an additional 180 days to reach a resolution.

This ruling was made after a judge in Maricopa County Superior Court approved Circle K’s request for a temporary restraining order, thereby freezing the deadline to claim the disputed jackpot.

The ticket was scheduled to expire on May 23, but uncertainty remains regarding who has the legal right to claim the winnings.

In his ruling, Judge Joseph Kreamer stated the court is “nowhere near” making a decision on the rightful winner. He extended the deadline by 180 days to allow Circle K to submit further evidence.

Choose Wisely

This controversy started on November 24, 2025, when a customer at a Circle K in Scottsdale requested that a clerk print various tickets for “The Pick,” an Arizona lottery game in which participants attempt to match six drawn numbers later that night.

The clerk printed $85 worth of $1 tickets, but the customer only had $60, leaving 25 tickets unpaid on the counter, according to legal documents filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. These tickets stayed in the store overnight, and one ultimately turned out to be the winning ticket for the $12.8 million jackpot.

This jackpot is among the largest ever awarded in The Pick and marks the biggest win in Arizona since 2019.

The next day, store manager Robert Gawlitza clocked out, changed out of his uniform, and bought the remaining tickets—including the winning ticket—from another employee for $10, as per court records.

Once Circle K management became aware of the purchase, they secured the winning ticket at their corporate offices while they sought a court ruling on the rightful owner of the ticket.

Circle K claims that according to the Arizona Administrative Code, lottery retailers retain ownership rights over tickets left unpaid and unsold. The company is asking the court to determine whether the ticket was legitimately sold, who the true owner is, and who should receive the $12.8 million prize.

The $12.8 Million Debate

The core issue in the dispute revolves around whether the unpaid tickets remain within the retailer’s inventory or if Gawlitza’s purchase post-drawing was valid—or possibly a misuse of insider information.

In granting the extension, Judge Kreamer emphasized the need for more time for Circle K to identify key parties involved in the case, including tracking down the original customer who tried to purchase the first set of tickets and Gawlitza, who has thus far evaded being served with the lawsuit since he no longer works for the company.