Does Bruno Mars Have A $50 Million Gambling Debt? Only Bruno Knows

Over the last few days, rumors have been circulating that singing sensation Bruno Mars has a whopping $50 million bill to settle with MGM Resorts for gambling debts that he has allegedly racked up playing at their casinos.

NewsNation reported that MGM basically "owns" Mars, 38, due to his losses. Mars and MGM Resorts have a close relationship, the singer nets an estimated $90 million per annum from the conglomerate.

“He owed millions to the MGM. They basically own him", a source told NewsNation. "He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt."

But is this actually true, or is this just a hyper-inflated figure conjured up because of Mars' known wealth? It's impossible to say, but he wouldn't be the first celebrity to have wagered huge sums, albeit rather more unsuccessfully if reports are to be believed. 

Rap icon Drake is rumored to have bet more than $1 Billion during his betting career, according to multiple sources. Golfer Phil Mickelson's tally is around the same, according to ESPN.

Michael Jordan, potentially the most recognizable name in basketball, is also thought to have wagered into the hundreds of millions and has spoken openly about his betting habits. "I do not have a problem, I enjoy gambling, but I think people are trying to make it seem like I have a problem because people really don't know."

That quote is pertinent and can be tied back to the Bruno Mars situation. The $50m figure, which may or may not be true, has all the makings of a headline grabber. 

It's also a figure that's been dispelled by reliable Vegas insider LasVegasLocally who commented, "Bruno Mars does not have a $50 million dollar credit line at any Las Vegas casino."

It also appears extremely unlikely Mars would have that substantially large line of credit. Dana White, worth in the region of half a billion dollars, has a line of credit that is reportedly significantly lower than that. It could be a case that his bumper contract is the reason behind such a high line of credit, but even that is a murky contractual situation. 

What we do know is that Mars is a keen bettor, and previously spoke about his early days of gambling with GQ. 

"I remember my first bet, my hand was shaking, and a guy called me out on it and embarrassed me,” he said.  "You gotta lose. You just have to lose to win, to understand."

He famously donated $1 million to the MGM Resorts employee's relief fund during the COVID-19 pandemic after they were left without work following casino and hotel closures. After eight years, the safe bet is that the relationship between Mars and MGM remains solid, even if he does owe them a few quid. 

Somebody, most likely Mars himself, knows the true figure of his gambling profit and loss. Anything else is likely conjecture.