A former Circle K manager is continuing his legal fight over a disputed $12.8 million Arizona Lottery jackpot, arguing that he is entitled to half of the prize after following what he says was the company’s long-standing practice for handling unpaid lottery tickets.
The case centers on Robert Gawlitza, who managed a Circle K store near 56th Street and Bell Road in Arizona. The dispute began in November 2025 when a customer requested $85 worth of Arizona Lottery tickets but paid for only $60, leaving $25 worth of printed tickets behind at the register.
The following day, after the winning numbers for Arizona’s “The Pick” lottery had been announced, Gawlitza discovered that one of the abandoned tickets matched all six numbers, making it worth $12.8 million. According to his attorney, Gawlitza purchased the remaining unpaid tickets himself and immediately informed Circle K management, proposing that the jackpot be split evenly between himself and the company.
Gawlitza’s legal team argues that employees were routinely expected to buy lottery tickets that had been printed but never purchased by customers. His attorney says this unwritten practice required either the cashier or store manager to cover the cost of unsold tickets using their own money, making Gawlitza’s actions consistent with company procedures rather than an attempt to exploit the situation. Several current and former employees have reportedly submitted sworn statements supporting the existence of that practice.
Circle K disputes that claim and has asked a Maricopa County court to determine the rightful owner of the winning ticket. The company argues Gawlitza violated store policy and dismissed him in January after nearly 20 years of employment. It maintains that ownership of the ticket should be decided under Arizona lottery rules and applicable retailer policies.
The legal battle has become even more complicated after another former employee, Marline Ybarra, also asserted a claim to part of the jackpot, arguing she has an ownership interest connected to the ticket.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Lottery has stepped back from deciding ownership. Instead, the agency will hold the $12.8 million prize in an interest-bearing account until the courts issue a final ruling. A judge has also extended the normal claim deadline to ensure the prize remains available while the litigation continues.