Horseshoe Casino Baltimore has replaced its security director, former acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Barksdale, with John Zappas, the former assistant security director.
While no announcement was made, the casino, which opened only four months ago, confirmed that Barksdale was leaving in a statement to the Baltimore Sun, saying only that he is leaving “to pursue other career opportunities.”
Zappas was security director of Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City prior to Horseshoe. Showboat, like Horseshoe a Caesars Entertainment property, closed in September. Horseshoe Baltimore had numerous security-related incidents under Barksdale, including fights, thefts, robberies and evictions for intoxication.
Casino officials did not say the incidents had any bearing on Barksdale’s departure, and in fact, thanked him in its statement to the Sun. “Horseshoe Baltimore’s senior management team thanks Tony for his service during the casino’s initial operating phase and wishes him well in his future endeavors,” the statement said.
