Bruno Mars Cracks Jokes About Gambling Debt Following Spotify Record Achievement
Bruno Mars might not have any gambling debts — but he certainly has a sense of humor.
The Grammy-winning artist, 39, made light of his rumored financial troubles while celebrating a significant career achievement on Tuesday, January 28.
“KEEP STREAMING! I’ll be out of debt in no time,” Mars wrote on his Instagram Story, coinciding with a post revealing that he has become the first artist in Spotify history to achieve 150 million monthly listeners.
The post, which featured a dancing man emoji, was accompanied by Silk Sonic’s “777,” a track that includes the lyrics, “I’m ’bout to buy Las Vegas after this roll.”
Mars was addressing ongoing speculation regarding severe gambling debts to MGM, the venue hosting his Las Vegas residencies. A report from last year suggested that Mars owed $50 million to the company and continued performing in Vegas to pay off his alleged debts. However, MGM strongly refuted this claim.
“We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic entertainers,” stated an MGM Grand spokesperson at that time. “From his performances at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno’s unique brand of entertainment draws visitors from around the world.”
The representative added: “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is long-standing and based on mutual respect. Any speculation to the contrary is entirely false; he has no debt with MGM. We are eager to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
In a light-hearted moment during one of his shows, Mars addressed the rumors, quipping, “Ever since those articles came out about me owing the casino money, you’ve stopped picking up my calls,” while holding a prop phone in September 2024. “It’s me, baby — I got money.”
“I love the lore that I am a Las Vegas lounge singer in debt to the mob,” he shared with the Las Vegas Review-Journal in June 2024. “I can work with that.”
Mars has also recently unveiled a new series of performances at Park MGM starting on May 21 and continuing through June 2. Additionally, he has just released “Fat Juicy & Wet,” a provocative collaboration with rapper Sexxy Red. Currently, he holds the No. 1 and No. 3 positions on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Die With a Smile” featuring Lady Gaga and “APT.” with Blackpink’s Rosé, respectively.
