Employee Sues Circle K Over $12.8 Million Lottery Ticket Dispute

Robert Gawlitza, a former Circle K employee, is embroiled in a legal battle over a $12.8 million lottery prize after purchasing a discarded ticket. The incident occurred on November 25, 2025, when Gawlitza found $25 worth of unpaid 'The Pick' lottery tickets at a Circle K in Scottsdale, Arizona. He claims he felt obligated to buy the $10 ticket that eventually won the jackpot due to an unwritten internal policy.

Gawlitza, who had worked for Circle K intermittently since 2009, stated that employees were expected to purchase unsold printed lottery tickets. He followed procedure by clocking out after his first shift, changing clothes, buying the ticket, and then clocking back in for his second shift. He acknowledged knowing the ticket was worth $12.8 million when he bought it but insisted he had no intention of wrongdoing. He even texted his district manager for clarification and received authorization.

However, Circle K's stance shifted hours later. Gawlitza alleges the company began questioning him about the ticket and later sent a representative to retrieve it. Two months after his dismissal, Circle K filed a lawsuit against Gawlitza in the Maricopa County Superior Court, seeking a judicial determination of the rightful owner of the prize. Gawlitza initially waited for the controversy to subside but has since filed a counterclaim with his own legal representation.

Circle K has not commented directly on the ongoing legal process, citing the open case. The company disputes Gawlitza's ownership, arguing he purchased the ticket while working, which contradicts their policies. Despite this, several current and former Circle K employees have submitted sworn statements to the court, affirming the existence of a policy requiring employees to buy unpaid printed lottery tickets. This rule, they claim, aims to prevent unnecessary printing, as the company earns a commission from the Arizona Lottery for each ticket printed. According to these employees, any winnings from such purchases were permitted to be kept by the employee.