Martin Shapiro of Clearwater was named the Florida state director for the Poker Players Alliance, the leading poker grassroots advocacy group headquartered in Washington, D.C. In this role, Shapiro will be responsible for monitoring poker-related issues and events in Florida and alerting the national PPA office to emerging trends or issues as well as leading PPA activities in the state.
"We are very fortunate to have Martin as part of our team," said former Senator Alfonse D’Amato, chairman of the PPA. "As Florida’s PPA state director, Martin will use his passion and interest for the game of poker to help strengthen the PPA’s efforts both nationally and at the state level. We are proud to have him as part of the PPA team."
Shapiro was a casual poker player throughout his life, becoming fascinated with Texas Hold’em during the poker boom after the World Series of Poker win by Chris Moneymaker in 2003. He started playing for pennies online and expanded his online real money play and began playing live tournaments and cash games as well. Shapiro has been tracking and analyzing the legislative and regulatory issues surrounding poker for several years, and has taken on the duties of Florida State Director for the PPA as a natural progression to his interest in bringing about fair government regulation of poker in place of prohibition.
As the Florida state director, Shapiro will serve as PPA’s "eyes and ears" to alert the membership to local news stories or legislation involving poker. He will also serve as the chief contact to quickly mobilize his fellow local PPA members to attend poker-related events or rallies. Shapiro will also be tasked with recruiting individuals to join the PPA, contacting their elected officials, and serving as a spokesperson for local media.
The PPA Florida state director can be contacted at: FL@pokerplayersalliance.org
