100 Slots to Be Added in First Phase

CHESTER, WV--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 28, 2003--MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:MNTG - News) today announced that the West Virginia Lottery Commission approved the addition of 500 slot machines at the Company's Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort, which increases total authorized slot machines to 3,500.
Edson R. (Ted) Arneault, President and CEO of MTR Gaming Group, stated, "We are grateful to the Lottery Commission for granting the approval. We requested the additional machines to support the high demand we are experiencing on the weekends. We plan to add 100 machines by the end of the second quarter, and the balance only as and when patron demand supports their addition. All of the new machines will be installed in the Speakeasy Gaming Saloon."

About MTR Gaming Group

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. owns and operates the Mountaineer Race Track & Gaming Resort in Chester, West Virginia, which currently encompasses a thoroughbred racetrack with off-track betting and export simulcasting, 3,000 slot machines, 359 hotel rooms, golf course, spa & fitness center, theater and events center, convention center and fine dining and entertainment. The Company also owns and operates the Ramada Inn and Speedway Casino in North Las Vegas. MTR recently obtained a license to build a new thoroughbred racetrack with parimutuel wagering in Erie, Pennsylvania (judicial review pending), and signed a Merger Agreement with Scioto Downs, Inc. for Scioto to become a wholly owned subsidiary of MTR (subject to various customary conditions as reported on Forms 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 24, 2002 and March 5, 2003). MTR is included on the Russell 2000® and Russell® 3000 Indexes. For more information, please visit www.mtrgaming.com.

Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, future plans and operating results, and specifically, the Company's plans for the installation of up to 500 additional gaming machines at the Mountaineer Racetrack & Gaming Resort. Such statements are based on the Company's current plans and expectations. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause the statements made to be incorrect and/or for actual results to differ materially. Those risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, availability and timely delivery of gaming machines from third parties over whom the Company has no control, management's periodic assessment of patron demand for additional machines, and other factors described in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.