Walters Lake Resort Proposal Targets Indiana Casino License for Steuben County

Steuben County is making a strong bid for Indiana's newest casino license with a comprehensive lakeside destination resort proposal at Walters Lake. Local realtor and developer Mark Hansbarger is spearheading the initiative, which envisions an investment exceeding $500 million for a property west of Fremont.

This ambitious project, situated on a 186-acre site featuring over 3,400 feet of Walters Lake shoreline, goes beyond a typical gaming venue. It aims to establish a full-scale resort including a 400-room hotel, various dining options, recreational trails, and family-friendly attractions, alongside the casino. Hansbarger emphasized the integrated nature of the development, stating, "That’s the difference, because this is a resort with a casino."

Strategic Location and Economic Promise

The proposed location offers a distinct advantage, positioning Steuben County favorably against competitors Allen and DeKalb counties for the singular gaming license. Its proximity, roughly half a mile from the Michigan state line, one mile from the Indiana Toll Road, and mere minutes from Interstate 69, is central to its appeal. Hansbarger highlighted this strategic positioning, citing a Steuben County Economic Development Corporation feasibility study predicting that "forty-eight percent of the revenue would come from Michigan." He further noted, "That makes a difference. That’s what Allen County and DeKalb County do not have."

Indiana lawmakers cleared the path for this competitive process by approving House Bill 1038, which authorized Allen, DeKalb, and Steuben counties to vie for the new gaming concession. An earlier study by the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation projected that such a resort could generate up to $16.6 million annually in local tax revenue and create between 800 and 1,200 jobs.

Development Vision and Path Forward

Hansbarger confirmed his role as the developer and landowner, not the casino operator, and stated that discussions with potential resort and casino management firms are already underway. The Walters Lake property is currently listed for $3.75 million, though Hansbarger's primary focus is assembling the optimal development team.

The resort's design places the hotel and other amenities along the lakefront, while the casino facility would be set back into the hillside. This thoughtful layout aims to preserve scenic views and minimize disruption to nearby residences. Hansbarger stressed that the controlled-access resort, offering overnight stays and outdoor activities, is a distinct concept from a conventional roadside casino. Reflecting on the project's broader impact, he asserted, "It has to be good for the county, it has to be good for the people here, it has to be good for the lake, it has to be good for our entire area."

Local regulatory steps are also in progress, with the proposal recently reviewed ahead of a Fremont Plan Commission meeting. The commission was set to consider an overlay district for the site, which would establish specific guidelines for aspects such as traffic flow, lighting, environmental safeguards, and overall design. Should Steuben County voters approve casino gambling in a November referendum, developers will have until December 1, 2026, to submit their formal proposals to the Indiana Gaming Commission.