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(NewsNation) — Is Bruno Mars enjoying his MGM partnership a bit too much? The singer, who once supported himself as a professional poker player, has been known to rack up large debts at the tables, but a well placed Vegas insider said, “He owes millions to the MGM (from gambling).” His debts have gotten as high as $50 million, the source added.
“(MGM) basically own him,” the Vegas insider added.
“He makes $90 million a year off of the deal he did with the casino, but then he has to pay back his debt… after taxes (Mars makes $1.5 million per night).” Ninety million after taxes is closer to $60 million, for those who were wondering.
Granted, he lives for free while he has a contract, but still. He should be taking home (or saving) a lot more than he has since signing the long term contract in 2016.
MGM is doubling down on Mars though. The Pinky Ring, his lounge at the Bellagio (an MGM property), debuted over the Super Bowl and we hear he has another project with the high end casino in the works as well.
A rep for MGM didn’t return emails. A rep for Mars declined to comment.
Meanwhile, it seems Mars’ feud with Anderson Paak — the other half of Silk Sonic — is over. The fight “which was about money of course — Anderson wanted more,” our insider said, culminating in 2022 when the duo withdrew their album from Grammy consideration… after winning four Grammys the previous year. Silk Sonic has dates set for The Park at MGM starting in May.
