A $12.8 million Arizona Lottery prize is at risk of slipping away as a court fight ramps up over who actually owns the winning ticket.

Circle K seeks to pause looming lottery deadline

Circle K has gone to court asking a judge to freeze the clock before a May 23 deadline that would otherwise wipe out the winnings under lottery rules. The company is not asking for an immediate ruling on ownership. Instead, it wants time to sort out a lawsuit that now involves the store, a clerk, and the Arizona Lottery.

Disputed ticket traced back to Scottsdale store

The ticket in question came from a November drawing of “The Pick” and was sold at a Circle K near Bell Road and 56th Street in Scottsdale. According to court filings, a customer asked for $85 in tickets but only paid $60, leaving 25 tickets behind at the counter.…