In the SNES version, the player can choose to play either a single-player or multiplayer game. The multiplayer mode is not included in the Game Boy version. In the single-player game, a computerized friend accompanies the player around various casinos. In the multiplayer game, poker cannot be played since everyone could see everyone else's cards. At the beginning of the single-player game, a car is seen driving to Las Vegas. The various "friends" of the player are introduced as Cliff, Maria, Isabelle and Richard. All are eager to begin gambling. The "friends" are not present in the Game Boy version.
The player is given $1,000. The player's goal is to win $10 million.[8] If the player loses all the money, the game ends, and an image is shown of a man showing his empty pockets.
The game features blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, and slot machines.[6][9] When the player wins $100,000, the Laurel Palace casino is unlocked.[6][8] A total of five casinos are featured in the SNES version,[9] while four are featured in the Game Boy version.[6]
Aside from gambling, the player will also have interactions with the traveling party, and with random casino patrons. The player can make or lose money, depending on the response given to these patrons. In one example, a patron may attempt to pickpocket the player's character by pretending to wipe a spot off the character's shirt.[6][8][9] There are no random encounters in multiplayer mode. Several additional patron interaction situations exist in the Game Boy version.