Bruno Mars Allegedly Has $50 Million Gambling Debt With MGM Casino
The “24K Magic” singer announced a multi-year residency with MGM Resorts International in 2016, performing at the hospitality giant’s Park MGM resort in Las Vegas.
However, the relationship between the 38-year-old and the hospitality giant may have gone sour as the singer’s gambling has allegedly racked up large debts at the poker tables in Las Vegas, according to NewsNation.
“He owed millions to the MGM,” a Vegas insider told the outlet.
Another source added that the debt is as high as $50 million.
“[MGM] basically own him. He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt,” added the insider, claiming that the singer only makes $1.5 million per night after taxes.
Part of Mars’ MGM contract reportedly included the creation of The Pinky Ring, a cocktail lounge inside the Bellagio Resort. NewsNation reports that another project is in the works as well.
Spoiler
In a 2013 interview with GQ’s Chris Heath, Mars reminisced about his early days of gambling when he frequented the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, long before he became famous.
"I used to be like a loudmouth. You know the guy, people would want to take his money. If you do get them to lose, they're out for you, they're gunning for you,” Mars said at the time. “And that's when they're weak. And that's when you jump or pounce on them.”
In the interview Mars also opened up about the first time he visited a casino when he was 19-years-old.
"I remember my first bet, my hand was shaking, and a guy called me out on it and embarrassed me,” he said, admitting he lost a hundred dollars he couldn’t afford to lose. "You gotta lose. You just have to lose to win, to understand."
During his Carpool Karaoke episode for the Late Late Show with James Corden in 2016, Mars briefly revealed that he was able to make rent while living in L.A. by playing cards “for a little while.” You can catch this moment at the 13 minute mark here.
only 1.5 milly per night after taxes, my heart bleeds for him, what a luckbox
I wonder what his coke habit is like these days.
My Mother was a backup singer for Gladys Knight and the Pips. They played a lot of arenas that were in casinos. And the casinos all knew the dirty secret...pay Gladys in casino chips after the show. After the show a casino boss would come in the dressing room with chips to pay for her performance. Gladys would pay the band and backup singers their share in chips and then Gladys would head straight to the casino floor and lose her whole nights pay.
I am doubt about him making rent by playing cards. But I gotta respect a degen being down 50 mill. I too am down. But 50 milly?? Respect.
I’m more shocked he makes 90mil a year off just performances in Vegas. Factor in residuals from sales and everything singers probably make more then I expected thought it was low/mid 8 figures not 9.
modern day elvis
Funny. Used to play 2/3 with him at Commerce. That was a 100 min/max buy-in.
Couldn't pick him out of a line-up anyway.
This could help explain how the Hard Rock in Tampa got the drum set from his super bowl performance that's hanging above the escalator as you enter the poker room.
Dw I heard he's being coached by Tom Dwan, he'll win it back
So the Pips had their own pips? :p
As for the actual story, yes, it was reported by NewsNation in that it was a celebrity gossip column that apparently cited a "well placed [sic] Vegas insider" (https://www.newsnationnow.com/entertainm...)
However, rumors of Mars' gambling debts certainly aren't new, as blogger Scott Roeben claimed the following from a "heavy hitter in the industry" nearly five years ago:
I'm also questioning the journalism bona fides of both Paula Froelich and Scott Roeben, as both seem to share a lack of knowledge on when to hyphenate. Then again, the AP Stylebook is probably to the current generation of reporters/bloggers/journalists what the Encyclopedia Brittanica is to your average modern-day high school student.
Why would anyone believe whatever MGM states about this case? My guess is even if true, they will at all cost avoid the truth coming out as you never know what the moronic public will do if they start thinking that Mars is under some kind of "slave contract" (never underestimate the public's ability to simp for multi millionaires).
Why would anyone believe whatever MGM states about this case? My guess is even if true, they will at all cost avoid the truth coming out as you never know what the moronic public will do if they start thinking that Mars is under some kind of "slave contract" (never underestimate the public's ability to simp for multi millionaires).
If they lied about it and it got found out it could have ramifications, so I don't think that they're lying.
If he earned 90m last year and spent 50m of it in the casino then technically they are correct, he doesnt have any debt. It wouldnt change the main point of the story, that hes a gambling degen who spends 10s of millions of his earnings at MGM.
Notice how their statement did not say anything to the tune of "Bruno Mars does not spend significant money at our casino".
That explains why the watch dealers have his old watches
Are these degens behaviors just a function of their nature (whether rich or not), or does fame bring about some of this behavior.
Meaning, some of these people can't really hang out in public and do their leisurely activities without being asked for photos etc. They can probably hide away in an exclusive country club and play golf or tennis, but otherwise they can't hang in a local sports bar etc.
The places they can go privately are casino private rooms, strip club vip lounges etc. and they are likely to spend plenty of money in either location.
Part of Mars’ MGM contract reportedly included the creation of The Pinky Ring, a cocktail lounge inside the Bellagio Resort.
That club is a huge pain for everybody in the rest of the casino. The music plays a bit too loud.
But, the real problem is the bass is maxed out. From the poker room (halfway across the casino), you can feel it vibrating in your head.
I've heard from poker management that complaints have been sent up to the top of Bellagio management.
I was there last weekend and it doesn't bother me.
I kinda like it actually, it makes the atmosphere in the poker room less depressing.
