Home / Crime and Justice / Lottery Worker Claims $12.8M Jackpot
Lottery Worker Claims $12.8M Jackpot
23 Feb
Summary
- Worker claims $12.8 million lottery ticket bought at his store.
- Unpaid ticket left on counter by customer, later claimed by worker.
- Court to decide between store and employee over winning ticket.
A legal battle is underway in Arizona over a $12.8 million lottery jackpot. An employee at a Scottsdale Circle K convenience store, Robert Gawlitza, is claiming ownership of the winning ticket for "The Pick" draw. The ticket originated from a customer who paid for $60 worth of lottery slips but left $25 worth of tickets on the counter. These tickets were discovered the next morning by Gawlitza, who then bought the winning ticket from a coworker for $10 after his shift.
Circle K has not claimed the ticket itself but has requested a court to determine whether the store or Gawlitza is the rightful owner. The company has pointed to an Arizona Administrative Code provision that grants retailers rights to unpaid and unsold lottery tickets. This marks a significant dispute for the Arizona Lottery, as the $12.8 million prize is the fourth largest "The Pick" jackpot sold in the state and the largest since 2019. The original customer has until May 23 to claim the prize.
