Freedom Bay Resort Casino - Walters Lake, Fremont, Indiana

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

SAVE $$ from Air-conditioning...in case you didn't know. Still interesting to watch.

09/05/2026

SIMPLE FINANCIAL FREEDOM for Steuben County
A conservative financial illustration shows how a destination scale resort could generate substantial year round tax revenue
Fremont, Indiana: September 5, 2026.
A preliminary financial illustration shows that a DESTINATION-SCALE RESORT such as the proposed Freedom Bay Resort Casino could generate one of the largest year round tax contributions in Steuben County history, without raising taxes on residents and without requiring tax abatements. In fairness, residents should confirm all tax details with trusted official sources, but here’s some explanations for reference.
INDIANA’S CASINO TAX is SIGNIFICANT. Casinos pay a graduated wagering tax ranging from 15% to 40% depending on annual adjusted gross receipts, plus a $3 admission tax for every person entering the casino. These taxes are paid entirely by the operator. In addition, a resort property pays full property tax, innkeeper’s tax, food and beverage tax, payroll taxes, and sales tax on retail operations.
To help voters understand the scale of Indiana’s tax structure, a conservative sample illustration was prepared using a mid sized annual adjusted gross receipts (AGR) figure of $150 million, a level consistent with several existing Indiana casinos.
Thus, a sample WAGERING TAX Calculation: Indiana’s wagering tax brackets applied to $150 million AGR produce:
First $25M at 15% → $3.75M
Next $25M at 20% → $5.00M
Next $25M at 25% → $6.25M
Next $75M at 30% → $22.50M
Total wagering tax: $37,500,000 PER YEAR.
$3.75M+$5.00M+$6.25M+$22.50M=$37.50M" per year"
Under Indiana law, 25% of wagering tax stays with the HOST CITY and COUNTY:
$37.50M×0.25=$9.375M" per year to local government"
Sample ADMISSION TAX Calculation: Assuming 2 million annual visits, roughly 5,480 per day:
2,000,000×$3=$6,000,000" PER YEAR"
Distributed as even with a conservative estimate of 5,480 visits per day, the average arrival rate is only about 228 guests per hour, roughly one car every 15–20 seconds, which by the way is nearly the same as the 2-lane N-50-W that parallels I-69 going north to SR120, according to Indot public traffic viewer.
By widening a short segment of Van Guilder for a turn lane, adding internal stacking and a loop road at the resort entry, and keeping the golf course protected, traffic engineers can design the access so cars are absorbed on‑site rather than backing up on Van Guilder. So:
$2M to the State
$2M to the Host City
$2M to the Host County
Local governments together receive $4 million per year from admission tax.
LOCAL CASINO SPECIFIC Taxes Combined: $13,375,000 PER YEAR.
$9.375M+$4M=$13.375M" per year" . This is before property tax, innkeeper’s tax, food & beverage tax, and payroll related taxes.
Sample PROPERTY Tax Illustration: $6,000,000 PER YEAR.
Assuming a “conservative” assessed value of $300 million:$300M×0.02=$6M" per year"
Tourism & EMPLOYMENT Taxes: $4,000,000 PER YEAR.
A conservative estimate of:
$1M innkeeper’s tax
$1M food & beverage tax
$2M local payroll related tax impact
Total: $4 million per year.
Combined LOCAL IMPACT from Illustrative Analytics: $23,375,000 PER YEAR.
$13.375M+$6M+$4M=$23.375M" per year"
Even with conservative assumptions, a resort casino of this scale could generate over $20 million per year in COMBINED LOCAL TAXES, all paid by the operator, not by Steuben County residents.
“These numbers are not promises or projections,” said project coordinator Mark Hansbarger. “They are simple, conservative illustrations to help residents understand the scale of Indiana’s tax structure and what it could mean for Steuben County if a resort casino operator is selected. All tax details should be confirmed with trusted official sources.”
Freedom Bay is proposed on 186 acres at Walters Lake, approximately one half mile east of I 69 Exit 357. The project includes a 250 room hotel, indoor waterparks, lakefront relaxation and spa, lakefront dining village, golf amenities, an event center, and a casino component representing roughly one percent of the total footprint.
The resort is designed with nature first environmental protections, on site MBR wastewater treatment, private wells, reclaimed water irrigation, and solar integration on parking structures.
“In my view, no other location in Allen County or DeKalb County matches the overall capability of the Walters Lake site to support a true destination resort, with lakefront access, 186 acres, direct interstate connectivity, and a design that protects Steuben County’s natural character. Residents should confirm all details with trusted official sources,” Hansbarger said.
“All expressed concerns are taken seriously, and every comment helps us move forward with Freedom Bay in a way that reflects the needs and priorities of Steuben County and Northeast Indiana.”
For more information, residents are encouraged to review publicly available posts and materials and confirm tax details with trusted official sources.
LIKE and SHARE to support Freedom Bay. MUCH MORE than a mere casino, it’s the MIDWEST’S only lakefront resort destination of its kind.

09/05/2026

When you design a RESORT first, the whole COMMUNITY wins.
Consider the TERRE HAUTE Casino Resort in INDIANA.
Built on a retired farm field off the highway, this $290 million luxury DESTINATION shows what happens when a project FOCUSES on regional TOURISM and community character, rather than just a standalone gaming floor.
Preserving Character & Supporting Local Business because it was designed as a full-scale destination, the property features a 10-story luxury hotel tower, a sophisticated rooftop bar, and five diverse restaurants.
Instead of competing with the town, the custom interior architecture was specifically built to tell the region’s historic story, creating an attraction that draws high-end travelers from multi-state markets.
That’s exactly why Freedom Bay is low profile, lake front lodge design with all the setbacks and protections, and nature-first design in all aspects for the 101-lakes area.
These RESORT tourists stay for days, stepping out to explore, dine, and spend money at surrounding local small businesses.
Real Opportunity & Growth In just its first full year of operation, the benefits to the community have been staggering: $10 million in direct funding provided to the local county government.
Over 500 permanent jobs created, giving local residents new career paths and rapid leadership promotions.
A historic $94+ million long-term commitment specifically was earmarked to support local public schools.
This isn’t just a gaming venue, it’s an economic anchor that respects its surroundings and lifts up the whole community.
That is exactly the kind of thoughtful, destination-first vision we can achieve right here at Freedom Bay.
Let's build something of lasting value together.

08/30/2026

For VOTERS looking for clear, factual information about the casino‑resort referendum, the SteubenFunWins.com website now includes updated impact statements, Myth vs. Fact explanations, and answers to many of the questions circulating in the community.
These RESOURCES help clarify how the process works, including:
1. Local control over proposed locations
2. How zoning protects schools, neighborhoods, and environmentally sensitive areas
3. What amenities casino resorts typically include beyond gaming
4. How visitor traffic can support local businesses and increase demand for restaurants, entertainment, and retail
5. Independent studies showing casinos often complement nearby businesses rather than replace them
Freedom Bay supports any effort to provide voters with reliable, transparent information. A well‑informed community benefits everyone.
To learn more, visit:
👉 www.SteubenFunWins.com

Facts matter. Transparency matters. Steuben County deserves a clear, informed path forward. LIKE and SHARE.

08/30/2026

Steuben County continues to strengthen its commitment to clear, factual communication ahead of the November referendum.
The Herald Republican reported this week that retired educator and longtime Pleasant Lake resident Elten Powers has joined the Steuben Where Fun Wins PAC. His background in public education, community service, and factual messaging adds another steady voice to the conversation at exactly the right time.
Freedom Bay applauds any local leader who steps forward to help voters make informed decisions based on real information rather than rumors or misconceptions. Strong communication benefits everyone in Steuben County.
As the only fully disclosed resort‑casino site in any county, Freedom Bay continues moving forward with environmental protections, zoning progress, and a destination‑resort plan designed for long‑term value. The momentum across Steuben County, from civic organizations to community leaders, shows the kind of stability and seriousness that operators look for when evaluating where to invest.
We encourage residents to read the Herald Republican article and stay engaged as more facts become available.
Steuben County deserves a clear, informed path to the future.
Freedom Bay is proud to be part of that conversation.

08/28/2026

THE WAY TO FREEDOM BAY. A resort that protects the lake, and strengthens Steuben County. NOT a roadside casino. It’s a "nature first" lakefront resort with CONTROLLED ACCESS, NO OUTSIDE BOATS, and over 3,000 feet of SHORELINE SEPARATION from the nearest homes. The LAKEFRONT STAYS 100% preserved, by law.
And here’s what PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE:
NO other Business District LOCATION in Steuben County has the PROTECTIONS, the SETBACKS, or the ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS that a Freedom Bay OVERLAY District would require, and is needed for both Steuben County and Fremont, the TEXT FRAMEWORK so we can be ready. And THIS is the ONLY site where the RULES can be WRITTEN to keep and POTECT the lake first.
FREEDOM BAY brings year round jobs, FAMILY FRIENDLY attractions, and NON-GAMING tourism that SUPPORTS local BUSINESSES without overwhelming the lakes.
LAKEFRONT Hotel. Lakefront DINING. Indoor WATERPARKS. Freedom PADDLEWHEEL FERRY. GOLF. A destination built on protection, not pressure.
IMPORTANTLY, the STATE has the FINAL SAY, and that is AFTER the VOTE in NOVEMBER. The vote opens the door, but the STATE decides what comes through it. The only option built to protect the lake, the only option we can shape locally, is with an overlay district for Freedom Bay.
LIKE and SHARE for more updates, including visual previews of the proposed facilities, coming soon.

08/22/2026

"FREEDOM FACTS vs Myths" - REVIEW.
MYTH 1: “Steuben County won’t get enough tax revenue to cover EMS, police, or infrastructure.” FACT: Freedom Bay is structured with NO TAX ABATEMENT and pays FULL PROPERTY TAX, innkeeper’s tax, food & beverage tax, employment income tax, and year round resort taxes. The project INCLUDES dedicated PUBLIC SAFETY funding, on site EMS/security, and infrastructure improvements paid by the resort — not local taxpayers.
MYTH 2: “Marion County gets all the money because of population.” FACT: Gaming revenue is only one piece of the tax picture. Steuben COUNTY BENEFITS from local taxes TIED DIRECTLY to the resort’s physical LOCATION — property tax, tourism tax, food & beverage tax, and payroll tax. These are county specific and not population based.
MYTH 3: “Casino jobs only pay $25,000 a year.” FACT: MODERN resort casino operations PAY significantly HIGHER: • Gaming operations: $45,000–$70,000+ • Security & surveillance: $40,000–$60,000 • Hospitality & culinary: above regional averages • Technical/IT/maintenance: $55,000–$90,000 These are year round jobs, not seasonal lake wages.
MYTH 4: “Small businesses will lose workers.” FACT: YEAR ROUND tourism EXPANDS the customer base for restaurants, retail, trades, and service providers. Freedom Bay also includes LOCAL WORKFORCE for MAJORITY of LOCALS to ensure a stable labor pool for both the resort and local businesses.
MYTH 5: “Housing will become unaffordable and taxes will skyrocket.” FACT: A LARGER COMMERCIAL tax base helps STABILIZE RESIDENTIAL tax rates. Freedom Bay’s plan includes middle income housing incentives and workforce housing options — not displacement. More tax revenue and more housing supply protect affordability.
MYTH 6: “The lake lifestyle and small town atmosphere will be ruined.” FACT: Freedom Bay is designed as a NATURE First, QUIET use lake resort: • Walters Lake remains NON-SKI, non motorized by Freedom Bay • Forest preserve buffers protect the shoreline • NO NOISE polluting attractions on the water • Family friendly amenities that complement the 101 Lakes identity The project enhances tourism without compromising the lakes.
MYTH 7: “Steuben County residents will lose big.” FACT: Freedom Bay is designed so Steuben County wins — stronger tax base, year round jobs, infrastructure paid by the project, and protections for the lakes and small town character that make this area special.
“Freedom Bay ... The Midwest’s Only Lakefront Resort Destination of Its Kind.”
Freedom Bay is a proposed Nature‑First, year‑round lakefront resort concept.
We want everyone to have clear, accurate information as the conversation continues.
(LIKE and SHARE if you want Freedom Bay here too.)

08/13/2026