LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas lottery finished the 2012 fiscal year with a profit of $97.6 million, a boost of $3.4 million from a year earlier.

But the improvement announced Wednesday included a $2 million payment from an instant ticket vendor that followed the renegotiation of its contract with the state Lottery Commission.

Even after the $2 million, profits were up by $1.4 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The year was difficult for the lottery, first facing a highly critical state audit and then the resignation of its director. New Director Bishop Woosley took over in February and led the agency for only the last 4½ months of the fiscal year.

Woosley says he's trying to further boost sales by promoting draw games, such as Powerball and Mega Millions.

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