Bruno Mars used a tongue-in-cheek social-media post to declare he is "almost out of debt" after making a surprise appearance with BLACKPINK singer Rosé at the K-pop group’s Los Angeles show on 13 July. The remark renewed attention on an unsubstantiated claim, circulated in March 2024, that the Grammy-winning performer owed MGM Resorts International roughly $50 million in gambling debt. MGM has repeatedly said the allegation is false, describing its nine-year relationship with Mars as "long-standing and rooted in mutual respect" and insisting the singer carries no debt to the casino operator. Mars has leaned into the rumour for comedic effect several times, including when he urged fans in January to keep streaming his music so he could "be out of debt in no time." The singer’s latest joke arrives as he expands his lucrative Las Vegas residency. Mars has added nine shows at Park MGM’s Dolby Live venue for 22–31 August and 3–6 September, extending a run that began in 2016 and has already logged more than 100 performances.