Danielle Gomes is a freelance writer and filmmaker. She co-wrote and narrated a documentary short on America’s homeless that won a Telly Award and a Videographer’s Award of Excellence. A member of the Association of Writers and Writers Program, she lives in Margate, NJ with her husband, Ben, and son, Jake." She is the daughter of the late Dennis Gomes,
one of the most respected men in Nevada and Atlantic City gaming.
She has written a book entitled Hit Me!: Fighting the Las Vegas Mob by the Numbers.
1). Tell the readers about you and your family?
"I grew up in the casino business. My dad met my mom while he was investigating the Tropicana for organized crime infiltration and she was a dancer in the Follies Bergere. And, all five Gomes kids have at one time or another held positions in the industry. My brother, Aaron, is currently the Managing Director of Jupiters Casino in Australia and my sister, Gabrielle, is a business development analyst at Revel Casino in Atlantic City. So, you see, casinos are in our blood. I worked at Trump Marina in casino marketing and special events, but now I focus primarily on writing. I have a Master's degree in Journalism and Media Studies from UNLV."
The book tells the story of how Dennis Gomes - the youngest-ever Chief of the Audit Division for the Nevada Gaming Control Board - helped to erase the mob stain from Nevada's casinos. In Hit Me!, there’s action to fill a dozen Scorsese film – midnight raids, heart-rending showgirl romances, and deadly double-crosses.
3). Does the book deal solely with your dad's career as a gaming regulator ?
"Yes, my dad's gaming career spanned four decades and was too fascinating for one book. There was a natural divide in the story between his work as a casino enforcer and a casino operator, so this book deals exclusively with my dad's work as a casino enforcer."
4). Do you plan to write anything in the future?
"Yes, I would love to write a book about my dad's career as a gaming executive. As a gaming operator, the characters my dad encountered were everything from amusing to out-right shocking."
6). Where will the book signing be held?
"May 10th At Cuba Libre at the Quarter at the Tropicana."
7). What time?
5:30 - 8. Tickets are $35 and include a signed book, appetizers, and a contribution to the Dennis C. Gomes Memorial Scholarship at Stockton College.
8). What's your favorite restaurant in Atlantic City?
"I can't pick just one restaurant, it's a tie between Cuba Libre and The Palm in Atlantic City and Sophia's in Margate."
9). What cities do you have planned for the book signing?
"Atlantic City. I am in the planning process for a signing in Las Vegas."
10). What is the name of the publishing company and how can it be purchased online?
Lyons Press. Hit Me! Fighting the Las Vegas Mob by the Numbers is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.com. I am very grateful to my co-author Jay Bonansinga, who mentored me through my first experience writing a book; and to our editor at Lyons Press, Keith Wallman, who is extraordinarily talented.
11). Your dad was involved with social media. He was one of my first followers on twitter.
What do you think about how it should be used to market to a younger demographic?
"My dad believed that in order to compete in the casino industry you had to set trends not follow them. He was not the sort of operator that believed you could cut your way to profits. My dad recognized the potential social media had in business early on. In my dad's gaming career, his focus was always on creative marketing, whether it was player development or advertising, and social media was just a natural progression in his operating philosophy.By setting trends, I believed my dad appealed to all demographics."
12). What did your dad think about the prospect of online gaming?
"My dad was somewhat neutral on the prospect of online gaming. He thought it would be good for AC if it got there first. However, morally, he believed that having that sort of accessibility from gamblers' homes could create a larger problem."
I want to thank Danielle for taking the time for this interview. You can follow her on Twitter at
@DanielleNGomes
Take the time to attend this book signing. Not only is this an interesting read that is based on the movie "Casino" that starred Robert De Niro, it's a
fascinating account from one the most innovative and respected men in Nevada and New Jersey Casino Gaming. Part of the proceeds go to a scholarship at Stockton College.
The following is a video trailer of Hit Me! Fighting the Mob by the Numbers
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