Bruno Mars has made light of the gambling debt rumors that have dogged him for over a year, making a joke about it on stage as he kicked off his new Las Vegas residency tour.
The singer opened The romantic trip at Allegiant Stadium on April 10, with Silk Sonic bandmate Anderson .Paak making a surprise appearance during the show.
In footage shared on social media, Paak subtly referenced the debt history, saying, “I hate to make this about me, but when I think about how much debt, I mean, how many steps it took to get here, I get emotional.”
Mars laughed and played along.
“Andy, I’m sorry you’re going through all that,” he said. “Look, I’m debt free, I paid off the casino a long time ago.”
The moment was a playful nod to a 2024 report that claimed Mars had racked up a $50 million gambling debt at MGM Casino.
The story spread widely before MGM Resorts International moved to shut it down altogether.
“MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect,” the company said in a statement New York Post.
“Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he owes no debt to MGM.”
The casino also took the opportunity to praise its relationship with the singer, whose Pinky Ring lounge operates at the Bellagio as part of their ongoing partnership.
It’s not the first time Mars has referenced the rumors with a wink.
Last summer, after joining Rosé on stage to perform their collaboration APT., he shared a clip on Instagram with the caption: “Almost out of debt BehhhhhBehhhhh!!!”
The Las Vegas show clearly put him in a good mood, and if the debt jokes are anything to go by, he’s made peace with history.
