business
Former Circle K manager fights back in court over $12.8 million lottery ticket purchased at store
By Alexis Dominguez, Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 11, 2026
· 2 min read
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A former Circle K manager has filed a formal response to a lawsuit over a $12.8 million Arizona Lottery jackpot.Robert Gawlitza claims the company enforced a policy requiring employees to purchase leftover lottery tickets and only challenged his ownership of t...
Key takeaway (KPHO/Gray News) — A former Circle K manager has filed a formal response to a lawsuit over a $12.
Why this matters in The Nashville
Nashville residents who frequent local convenience stores may be watching this case with interest, as it raises questions about the policies and practices of retailers like Circle K, which has a presence in the Nashville area. The fact that Circle K allegedly had an unofficial policy requiring employees to purchase leftover lottery tickets valued over $20 could have implications for how similar situations are handled in local stores. If the court rules in Gawlitza's favor, it could set a precedent for how retailers must treat employees who purchase lottery tickets as part of their job duties. Meanwhile, the Arizona Lottery's decision to hold the prize money until the court determines ownership may be a prudent move, but it also leaves the winners in limbo, a situation that could potentially play out in Tennessee if a similar dispute were to arise.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Nashville stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering business and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) — A former Circle K manager has filed a formal response to a lawsuit over a $12.8 million Arizona Lottery jackpot.Robert Gawlitza claims the company enforced a policy requiring employees to purchase leftover lottery tickets and only challenged his ownership of t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alexis Dominguez, Jordan Gartner at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More business →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter