Bruno Mars Jokes He'll 'Be Out of Debt in No Time' While Sharing 150 Million Streaming Milestone amid Gambling Chatter

Mar. 15, 2025

Bruno Mars performs onstage during the 25th annual Keep Memory Alive ‘Power of Love Gala’ benefit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.Photo:Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

Bryan Steffy/Getty Images

Bruno Marswon’t be dropping any 24K magic any time soon.The “Die with a Smile” singer, 39, poked fun atsince-denied rumors that he’s in gambling debtin a cheekypost on Instagramon Tuesday, Jan. 28 while sharing his latest milestone on music streaming service Spotify.On his Instagram Stories, he re-shared a post from Spotify that announced that he “became the first artist to reach 150 million monthly listeners in Spotify history.” Alongside the post, he joked, “Keep streaming! I’ll be out of debt in no time!”This comes following online rumors and a NewsNation report that the Grammy winner owed MGM Resorts over $50 million in gambling debt and was paying it off with the money made from his residency at Park MGM in Las Vegas — whichthe company has since denied.A screenshot of Bruno Mars' post on his Instagram Stories.Bruno Mars/InstagramA source claimed to NewsNation at the time that MGM “basically owned” Mars after he allegedly racked up millions in gambling debt with the hospitality and entertainment company. The outlet also claimed that Mars was using his $90 million a year salary from his residencies at MGM to help pay it off.MGM Resorts International issued a statement to PEOPLE in response to the rumors in March 2024, saying, “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Mars launched his partnership with the company in 2016, which led to his Park MGM residency and his Pinky Ring cocktail bar atBellagio Resort & Casino. He continues to perform at both shows, and when asked in an interview with theLas Vegas Review-Journallast June if he’d like to address the gambling debt rumors, Mars declined with a laugh.“Absolutely not! I love the lore that I am a Las Vegas lounge singer in debt to the mob,” he joked. “I can work with that.“Bruno Mars of Silk Sonic performs at the Grammys in April 2022 in Las Vegas.Chris Polk/Variety/Penske Media via GettyMars then spoke about his relationship with the city.“I just thought, I want to play Vegas while I have No. 1 records, while I am playing the Super Bowl,” Mars told the outlet in June 2024. “For the longest time, I’ve romanticized about Las Vegas and what it is. Maybe I just look at Vegas through a different lens. I look at it like ‘Casino’ and the Rat Pack, everybody in suits, gambling and going out. That’s how I see Las Vegas.”“I’ve got a lot of plans, especially in regards to Vegas, and I’m just getting started,” he added. “That’s what I’ve got to say, OK? Just wait to see what I do next.”Aside from his shows, he’s been collaborating with several different artists on tracks. His latest collaboration withSexxy Redcalled “Fat Juicy & Wet” dropped this month, and the music video also featured other artists Mars has collaborated with — includingLady Gaga(whom he worked with on “Die with a Smile”) andBlackpink’s Rosé(with whom he released “Apt.").He teased the collaboration on Instagram earlier this month, writing on Instagram, “THANK YOU ALL! I’m headed to the studio right now to make a strip club anthem so I can celebrate and properly act up this weekend. Someone please help me get in touch with Sexyy Red!”His collaboration songs are doing well, as “Die with a Smile” is currently up for song of the year and best pop duo/group performance atthe Grammys, airing Sunday, Feb. 2. Meanwhile, “Apt.” has  reached No. 5 on theBillboard100.

Bruno Marswon’t be dropping any 24K magic any time soon.

The “Die with a Smile” singer, 39, poked fun atsince-denied rumors that he’s in gambling debtin a cheekypost on Instagramon Tuesday, Jan. 28 while sharing his latest milestone on music streaming service Spotify.

On his Instagram Stories, he re-shared a post from Spotify that announced that he “became the first artist to reach 150 million monthly listeners in Spotify history.” Alongside the post, he joked, “Keep streaming! I’ll be out of debt in no time!”

This comes following online rumors and a NewsNation report that the Grammy winner owed MGM Resorts over $50 million in gambling debt and was paying it off with the money made from his residency at Park MGM in Las Vegas — whichthe company has since denied.

A screenshot of Bruno Mars' post on his Instagram Stories.Bruno Mars/Instagram

Bruno Mars/Instagram

A source claimed to NewsNation at the time that MGM “basically owned” Mars after he allegedly racked up millions in gambling debt with the hospitality and entertainment company. The outlet also claimed that Mars was using his $90 million a year salary from his residencies at MGM to help pay it off.

MGM Resorts International issued a statement to PEOPLE in response to the rumors in March 2024, saying, “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Mars launched his partnership with the company in 2016, which led to his Park MGM residency and his Pinky Ring cocktail bar atBellagio Resort & Casino. He continues to perform at both shows, and when asked in an interview with theLas Vegas Review-Journallast June if he’d like to address the gambling debt rumors, Mars declined with a laugh.

“Absolutely not! I love the lore that I am a Las Vegas lounge singer in debt to the mob,” he joked. “I can work with that.”

Bruno Mars of Silk Sonic performs at the Grammys in April 2022 in Las Vegas.Chris Polk/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Chris Polk/Variety/Penske Media via Getty

Mars then spoke about his relationship with the city.

“I just thought, I want to play Vegas while I have No. 1 records, while I am playing the Super Bowl,” Mars told the outlet in June 2024. “For the longest time, I’ve romanticized about Las Vegas and what it is. Maybe I just look at Vegas through a different lens. I look at it like ‘Casino’ and the Rat Pack, everybody in suits, gambling and going out. That’s how I see Las Vegas.”

“I’ve got a lot of plans, especially in regards to Vegas, and I’m just getting started,” he added. “That’s what I’ve got to say, OK? Just wait to see what I do next.”

Aside from his shows, he’s been collaborating with several different artists on tracks. His latest collaboration withSexxy Redcalled “Fat Juicy & Wet” dropped this month, and the music video also featured other artists Mars has collaborated with — includingLady Gaga(whom he worked with on “Die with a Smile”) andBlackpink’s Rosé(with whom he released “Apt.").

He teased the collaboration on Instagram earlier this month, writing on Instagram, “THANK YOU ALL! I’m headed to the studio right now to make a strip club anthem so I can celebrate and properly act up this weekend. Someone please help me get in touch with Sexyy Red!”

His collaboration songs are doing well, as “Die with a Smile” is currently up for song of the year and best pop duo/group performance atthe Grammys, airing Sunday, Feb. 2. Meanwhile, “Apt.” has  reached No. 5 on theBillboard100.

source: people.com