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Bruno Mars is once again making light of the long-standing rumor that he owes $50 million in gambling debt, using his signature humor to address the speculation. The Grammy-winning artist referenced the claims on Tuesday while celebrating a major achievement—becoming the first artist on Spotify to surpass 150 million monthly listeners.
Encouraging fans to continue streaming his music, Mars joked in an Instagram Stories post, "I'll be out of debt in no time," alongside a dancing emoji. This comes after his latest collaboration, Fat Juicy & Wet with Sexyy Red, faced so much criticism with fans saying that this is his worst song yet and that he should go back to his old style. Some even asked him to pull down the song from streaming sources. It is however not the first time he has poked fun at the widely circulated claim that he owes a massive sum to MGM Resorts International.
The rumors gained traction in March 2024 after a NewsNation report alleged Mars had accumulated gambling debts so high that MGM "basically owned him," supposedly explaining his long-term residency at Park MGM Las Vegas. A source claimed, "He owes millions to the MGM [from gambling]" and that "his debts have gotten as high as $50 million." However, MGM Resorts swiftly denied the allegations, with a spokesperson stating, "Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM." The company also reaffirmed its strong relationship with the singer, adding, "We're proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world's most thrilling and dynamic performers."
Despite the denial, Mars has embraced the myth surrounding his alleged financial troubles. Last year, he reposted a viral video joking that Lady Gaga's collaboration with him on Die With a Smile was a way to "get Bruno Mars out of debt." He also told the Las Vegas Review-Journal he enjoys "the lore" of being perceived as "a Las Vegas lounge singer in debt to the mob."
The singer's humor has only grown as he continues to expand his residency. Billboard recently confirmed Mars will perform seven additional shows at Park MGM in May and June. Meanwhile, his music continues to dominate the charts. Die With a Smile has held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for multiple weeks, while his duet APT. with BLACKPINK's ROSÉ remains a global success.
