Bruno Mars was rumored to have racked up $50 million worth of gambling debt during his Las Vegas, and representatives of the casino have now set the record straight.
In a statement shared with Complex on Monday (March 18), MGM Resorts International denied the that the superstar singer is indebted to them in any way.
“We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers,” the hospitality and entertainment company wrote. “From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno’s brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe. MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect.”
It continued: “Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
Last week, NewsNation reported that Mars’ gambling losses began piling up, creating a huge disparity between his earnings and the money he owes.
A source allegedly told the outlet: “[MGM] basically own him. He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt.”
Bruno Mars has been an avid gambler since his teenage years and he even told GQ about his early days playing cards in a 2013 interview.
“I used to be like a loudmouth. You know the guy, people would want to take his money. If you do get them to lose, they’re out for you, they’re gunning for you,” he said at the time. “And that’s when they’re weak. And that’s when you jump or pounce on them.”
He also claimed that he was 19 the first time he visited a casino, adding: “I remember my first bet, my hand was shaking, and a guy called me out on it and embarrassed me. You gotta lose. You just have to lose to win, to understand.”
The acclaimed singer has had a residency at Park MGM since 2016, which was recently renewed and extended well into 2024 after initial plans of concluding it in August were scrapped — whether or no this was due to his alleged debt remains unclear as of now.
So far, Bruno Mars has performed 100 shows as part of his current residency as well as 48 in 2022 that featured him performing alongside Anderson .Paak as part of Silk Sonic.
The residency has been attended by over 120,000 people and generated more than $53 million, becoming the highest-grossing MGM concert residency ever.