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MTR Gaming Group Updates of Pennsylvania Track

27 June 2003

CHESTER, West Virginia --(Press Release) -- MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (Nasdaq National Market:MNTG) today provided an update concerning the status of its planned racetrack in Erie, Pennsylvania, for which the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission unanimously granted a license on November 19, 2002 to MTR's wholly owned subsidiary, Presque Isle Downs, Inc. As has been previously announced, affiliates of Penn National Gaming and Magna Entertainment challenged the Racing Commission's decision in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.

As part of a settlement agreement between MTR and Magna, on June 19, 2003, Magna filed a motion to withdraw its appeal with prejudice and informed the Court that the Racing Commission supported the motion. On June 25, 2003, MTR and Penn National reached an agreement in principle pursuant to which Penn National agreed to withdraw its appeal in consideration for MTR's agreement to purchase Penn National's off track wagering facility in Erie upon MTR's commencement of parimutuel wagering in Erie and to offer comparable employment to Penn National's employees at the Erie facility.

On June 26, 2003, the Court issued its Opinion and Order in which it denied Penn National's petition for review, finding that the Racing Commission had not committed an error of law in granting the license. However, notwithstanding Magna's motion to withdraw its appeal, the Court granted Magna's petition, holding that Magna had timely requested and should have received a formal hearing to be conducted in accordance with Pennsylvania's Administrative Agency Law.

The Court therefore vacated the Racing Commission's November 19, 2002 Order, with regard to Magna, and remanded the case to the Racing Commission for a formal hearing. The Company believes that on remand, there being no further dispute among the parties to the proceeding, the Racing Commission will reaffirm Presque Isle Downs' license. There can be no assurances of this result, however, or that the Company's plans to build the racetrack will be executed.

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. In late 2002, MTR obtained a license to build a new thoroughbred racetrack with parimutuel wagering in Erie, Pennsylvania (vacated with regard to Magna and remanded by Order dated June 26, 2003), 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, March 5, 2003, and May 7, 2003).

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