COLUMBUS, OH - Despite suffering a series of setbacks over the past couple of years ?" the resignation of its embattled director, a weak debut for a new game, a lawsuit over a new contract ?" the Ohio Lottery recorded a 12-month sales total last year, the Columbus Dispatch reports.

According to state lottery officials, sales totaled $2.48 billion for the Ohio Lottery during its 2010 fiscal year, a jump of nearly $70 million from last year??s total.

Officials attributed the gain to the addition of Powerball and a full year of Keno sales.

Along with its strong sales, the Ohio Lottery realized its second-highest profit-making year, transferring $728.6 million toward public schools, $26.3 million more than last year.

"We are excited to be able to maximize our profits in such a way as to send such a large transfer [to the education fund]," said lottery Director Kathleen Burke said. "That's why we're here."