Bruno Mars hit a major milestone on Spotify. He became the first artist to surpass 150 million monthly listeners on the platform.
To celebrate, he took to Instagram Stories to poke fun at the rumors surrounding the gambling debt that he allegedly ran up at MGM.
He took a minute to jokingly remark that he'll be out of debt quickly, thanks to his new record. Even though MGM denied that Mars amassed a $50 million casino gambling debt last year, the pop icon has been having a bit of fun with the gossip.
Bruno Mars Gambling Debt Rumor Refuted Immediately
This light-hearted comment played off rumors reported by NewsNation in 2024, which claimed that Bruno owed millions to MGM. Some said the amount reached as high as $50 million due to his time at the casino tables.
NewsNation speculated that despite earning $90 million annually from his deal with the casino, after taxes and other expenses, Bruno had to repay a significant debt, purportedly earning him $1.5 million per night. However, MGM Grand immediately refuted these claims, clarifying that Bruno Mars had no debt with them.
"We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers," an MGM Grand spokesperson told Billboard. "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." They emphasized the longstanding partnership based on mutual respect and dismissed the debt rumors as completely false.
Not The First Time The Bruno Mars Gambling Debt Provided Jokes
Bruno Mars didn’t shy away from these rumors. This is not the first time he used the gossip to make people laugh. On stage during a performance last year, he playfully mocked the reports of his gambling debts.
On stage, he pretended to be on the phone. "Ever since those articles came out about me owing the casino money, you stopped picking up my calls… It’s me baby, I got money," he said.
The crowd loved it.
It turns out that he's having the last laugh because he's even added seven more dates to his Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM. It's slated to start again in late May and early June.
Bruno Mars Still Topping the Charts
Bruno Mars also continues to dominate the charts.
His collaboration with Lady Gaga, "Die With a Smile," holds strong at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, Bruno released his first single of 2025, teaming up with Sexyy Red for the strip club anthem "Fat Juicy & Wet."
Even if Bruno had a run of bad luck at roulette, blackjack, poker tables, or slot machines, he appears to own the music industry and be winning in life.
But all of the fun aside, gambling is a serious problem for many, and if you decide to play, always set limits and please gamble responsibly.
