Circle K has filed a declaratory judgment complaint in Maricopa County Superior Court to determine the rightful owner of the jackpot, which marks the fourth-largest prize in the history of “The Pick”.

The dispute originated on 24 November 2025, at a Scottsdale Circle K. A customer requested 85 tickets but paid for only 60, leaving 25 printed but unsold. One of these abandoned tickets matched the winning numbers for the evening’s draw. Court documents allege that the following day, store manager Robert Gawlitza realised a leftover ticket was the winner. He reportedly clocked out, removed his uniform, and purchased the remaining 25 tickets from another employee for $10 (c. £7.4).

Circle K management subsequently took possession of the ticket and moved it to their corporate offices. The company maintains that the lawsuit is not an attack on any specific party but a request for judicial guidance on ownership.

The central tension lies in the interpretation of the Arizona Administrative Code. State rules suggest that if a retailer generates a ticket refused by a player and fails to resell it, the lottery deems the ticket to be owned by the retailer, Newsweek reports.

The Arizona Lottery has described the situation as unique, noting they are a nominal party to the suit only to ensure they are bound by the eventual court order. The case carries significant weight for the industry, as it may clarify the legal status of tickets that retailers are technically required to pay for regardless of whether they are sold.

The clock is ticking on the $12.8m prize, as Arizona law mandates that winnings must be claimed within 180 days. With a deadline in late May 2026, a judge must now decide if the jackpot belongs to the store manager, the corporation, or if it should be handled under different state protocols.