Bruno Mars Laughs Off $50 Million Gambling Debt Rumours with Viral Instagram Post

Bruno Mars rounded off a recent surprise performance in Los Angeles with a tongue-in-cheek social media post, seeming to laugh off the longstanding rumours of his alleged gambling debts.

Appearing on stage alongside BLACKPINK’s Rosé at SoFi Stadium on July 13, the Grammy-winning artist joked on Instagram: “Almost out of debt BehhhhhBehhhhh!!! Preciate You ROSAAAAYYYYYY!!!!”

Mars’ comments humorously reference reports that first surfaced in 2023, which claimed the singer had amassed over $50 million in gambling debts at MGM casino properties in Las Vegas. 

The allegations suggested that his lucrative ongoing residency with MGM, which has been running since 2016 and is now nearing his 100th show, was an agreement to offset his reported losses.

So prevalent were the rumors that in March 2024, MGM Resorts International felt compelled to address the speculation, calling it “completely false.” 

In a statement at the time, the firm went on to endorse its longstanding relationship with Mars, arguing “He has no debt with MGM,” and that the partnership was “rooted in mutual respect.”

Mars Enjoys Commercial Stardom Despite Rumors 

Mars, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, has been performing regularly at MGM’s venues for almost a decade, reportedly earning $1.5 million a night, after taxes and expenses. 

As a result, unconfirmed rumours indicate the total value of his money-spinning deal with the MGM casino group is estimated to exceed $90 million.

Outside of his Vegas residency, the pop star continues to see his alternate commercial ventures also succeeding, with his recent duet with BLACKPINK’s Rosé, titled “APT..,” already racking up over 1.8 billion streams on YouTube and Spotify, respectively.

In addition to this, Mars also collaborated with Lady Gaga, Rosé, and rapper Sexyy Red earlier this year on the provocative chart-topping single “Fat Juicy & Wet,” which again instigated jokes on social media about his purported debt problem.

Although Mars has never directly addressed the rumoured debt conspiracy, his recent posts suggest he fully embraces the narrative, with an element of humour.

Sell-Out Shows Fuel MGM Resorts’ Continued Backing

Industry insiders believe that Mars’ brand appears to remain largely unaffected by the persistent rumours, partly due to his strategic silence, as well as his recent successful high-profile collaborations. 

In addition to this, his strong fan base appears to be largely unaffected by the reputational fallout, as evidenced by his continued commercial prosperity.

MGM Resorts, too, continues to back Mars, reiterating their confidence in his headline performances, stating: “We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers.”

For now, Mars certainly seems content to let the rumors swirl. 

Regardless, both parties appear intent on continuing their mutually beneficial partnership, with the performers’ upcoming shows at MGM venues already selling out, a further indication that Vegas is continually diversifying to attract a younger demographic to The Strip.

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