Fight over nearly $13 million lottery ticket in Arizona heads to trial

PHOENIX (CNN, KYMA) - The fight over who owns a $12.8 million lottery ticket will go on in Maricopa County, Arizona, but one question has to be answered first: Who owns the ticket?

In November 2025, a customer went to a Circle K and asked for $85 worth of lottery tickets. However, she didn't have enough money, so she left some behind.

The store manager later clocked out and bought the tickets. He and the clerk who rang him up claim an unwritten company rule allowed him to do that.

Circle K fired him and said an Arizona Lottery rule made them the rightful owner. The store manager later sued Circle K.

The judge paused all but one of the claims, saying none could go forward unless the store manager and clerk are found to own the ticket.

A hearing is scheduled for next month where the judge will decide whether a jury will hear the case or if it will be a bench trial.