Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack Appoints General Manager of Gaming

Chester, WV, March 12, 2012 --(PR.com)-- MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (NasdaqGS: MNTG) announced today that it has named industry veteran Troy J. Buswell to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack in Columbus, Ohio, effective immediately. The casino is currently under construction and slated to open in the second quarter of 2012.

"Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack will benefit greatly from Troy's leadership and experience," said Joe Billhimer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MTR Gaming Group, Inc. "Troy will join Stacey Cahill, who will continue to serve as General Manager of Racing, to bring a complete entertainment experience to the Columbus community."

Construction of Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack is ongoing, and when completed, the facility will open with approximately 2,100 video lottery terminals and is permitted to increase that number to as many as 2,500. Additionally, there will be a 300-seat buffet, a 100-seat casual dining restaurant, an 82-seat bar/lounge with high-tech sound and lights, and will offer a variety of entertainment options. The racetrack will also benefit from a variety of improvements.

Mr. Buswell is a 17-year veteran of the gaming industry. He most recently served as Director of Slot Operations at MTR Gaming Group’s Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, located in Chester, WV. Prior to joining MTR Gaming Group in June 2010, Mr. Buswell was Director of Casino Operations for Isle Casino Hotel in Black Hawk, Colorado.

"I am extremely pleased to join the Scioto Downs team and work alongside everyone involved in this project,” said Mr. Buswell. “This is a great opportunity to bring a first- class gaming facility to the Columbus area and I look forward to an exciting future at Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack."

About MTR Gaming Group

MTR Gaming Group, Inc. is a hospitality and gaming company that through subsidiaries owns and operates Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia; Presque Isle Downs & Casino in Erie, Pennsylvania; and Scioto Downs Casino & Racetrack in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, please visit www.mtrgaming.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning, among other things the prospects for improving the results of our operations at Mountaineer, Presque Isle Downs and Scioto Downs, including the success and growth of table gaming at Presque Isle Downs and Mountaineer and the successful implementation of video lottery terminals at Scioto Downs. 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, the impact of new competition for Mountaineer and Presque Isle Downs (including casino gaming and video lottery terminals in Ohio), the establishment of video lottery terminals at Scioto Downs, pending the receipt of required regulatory approval, the effectiveness of our marketing programs, the enactment of future gaming legislation in the jurisdictions in which we operate (including the implementation of casino gaming in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio and the implementation of video lottery terminals at racetracks in Ohio), changes in, or failure to comply with, laws, regulations or the conditions of our gaming licenses, accounting standards or environmental laws, including adverse changes in the gaming tax rates that the Company currently pays in its various jurisdictions, general economic conditions, disruption (occasioned by weather conditions or work stoppages) of our operations, our ability to improve our operating margins, our continued suitability to hold and obtain renewals of our gaming and racing licenses, our ability to fulfill our obligations and comply with the covenants associated with our various debt instruments and/or our ability to obtain additional debt and/or equity financing, if and when needed, 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. The cautionary advice in this paragraph is permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

For Additional Information, Please Contact:

MTR Gaming Group, Inc.
www.mtrgaming.com
John W. Bittner, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(724) 933-8122
Jbittner@mtrgaming.com
or
Fred A. Buro
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
(724) 933-8122
fburo@pidowns.com

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