Bruno Mars Allegedly Owes $50 Million In Gambling Debt

Bruno Mars is going to need some "24K Magic" to get him out of some crazy gambling debt. The singer-songwriter, who has an ongoing, long-term residency at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, has further made his connection with MGM even deeper with a reported debt he has with the casino and hotel.

In a new report by NewsNation, a source says the Grammy winner allegedly has racked up $50 million in gambling debt with MGM. He's had a relationship with the casino and hotel for more than eight years. According to the publication's source, they claimed, "They basically own him." The source also alleges that Bruno is taking home $90 million a year from his current deal with MGM, but after taxes, he will only take home $1.5 million per night. Additionally, Bruno, 38, just launched a cocktail lounge called The Pinky Ring at another Vegas-based MGM property, the Bellagio.

Bruno has not been shy in the past about his taste for games. During an appearance on James Corden's Carpool Karaoke, the "Treasure" singer talked about his love of poker. Before his musical career took off, he said he supported paying his rent by playing poker in Los Angeles.

In a blog post, one person claimed they used to play with him at Hollywood Park before he got famous. "He would often come in on a Friday or Saturday night after playing a gig. He was a decent enough laggy player, but I doubt he actually made any sort of living from it. Even back then he had a certain charisma and I'm not surprised that he is famous." Another person recalled playing with him a "handful of times in 2009 at Commerce $5-$10. He was the type of guy that you would 'rush' to get a table change for. I also remember him usually losing a single $500 bullet and leaving. There was no way he was playing for profit." A third said he was the "best player (aside from Greek Steve) I ever played against at Commerce. Incredibly balanced and impossible to play against if you can't beat him at showdown. Lotta heart."

In another blog post, one poker player recalled a night he played high-stakes poker with Mars. In a 16-hour game that went up to $30,000, Bruno lost in what became this poker player's "most memorable poker hand ever." He remembered as Bruno stood up to leave the table, he asked, "Do you mind [throwing] me a $10 chip for valet, so of course I did, and then he disappeared into the night."

With the allegations out, Mars’ 2013 interview with GQ has resurfaced. At the time, the singer reflected on how his love for gambling started back when he was 19 years old. “I used to be like a loudmouth,” he said. "If you do get them to lose, they’re out for you, they’re gunning for you. And that’s when they’re weak. And that’s when you jump or pounce on them.” Recalling his first major loss, he told the publication his hand was "shaking," and a guy called him out on it and embarrassed him.

Bruno Mars has not addressed the gambling debt claim at the time of our publication.

With the holiday season approaching and people planning to hit the roads to celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones, a well-curated music playlist can enhance the journey. However, it's important to choose tunes that won't compromise your safety; some songs that may be really catchy may also be potentially hazardous. The team at Compare the Market Australia are experts in understanding how distracted driving could impact your car insurance policy. And they wanted to do their own research into the matter. The company took into account four factors to determine what songs are the world's most distracting: BPM (beats per minute), energy score, danceability, and loudness. The higher each of these songs possesses, the more dangerous it is to drive to.

General Manager of General Insurance at Compare the Market Australia, Adrian Taylor, stated: “Selecting the right music while driving is more than just a matter of personal taste; it can be an issue of road safety. Being distracted by your favorite song could lead to you driving unsafely, which – as well as increasing the risk of an accident – could also increase your insurance premiums if you end up with tickets or a bad driving history. No matter what songs you listen to, it is important to focus on driving, both for your safety and the safety of others.”

The company analyzed the most popular driving playlist, consisting of over 500 songs on a popular streaming site. Each factor was given a score from 0 to 1, and these were then averaged together and written as a percentage to get the overall distraction score. Compare the Market Australia used an API song analysis tool to sort the music. The songs ranged from current hits to '80s classics by Michael Jackson.

Take a look below at the ten most distracting songs to listen to while driving:

Really, any of Michael Jackson's hits could be considered very distracting to drive along to safely. Maybe it's the Eddie Van Halen guitar solo that puts this one ahead of the others. But "Beat It" kicks off the list at the no.10 spot, with a distraction score of 76.13%.

From arguably Bruno Mars' best album, 2010's Doo-Wops & Hooligans, "The Lazy Song" has a distraction score of 76.26%. Though the song is lyrically an anthem to laziness, the song has a reggae influence, making its danceability extremely high.

Taking it way back, this 2000 cover of the original 1961 tune was a surprise to see on this list. Austrian artist DJ Ötzi's cover version was re-released when it became the unofficial theme song for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. The track has a distraction score of 76.36%.

This 2017 song took over the airwaves when it came out. It has two remixes: one featuring Daddy Yankee, and another with Justin Bieber. The reggaeton and Latin pop song has been widely credited for the renewed popularity of Spanish-language pop music in the mainstream market. "Despacito" has a distraction score of 76.39%.

This 2011 Jessie J hit has a distraction score of 76.46%. "Price Tag" is an upbeat, feel-good track, inflected with reggae bounce and a vintage vibe. The sing-along chorus features powerful vocals from the English singer-songwriter along with the use of slinky guitars.

Meghan Trainor’s 2014 debut single has a high BPM of 134 and high danceability (81). It has a distraction score of 76.59%. With its catchy chorus, it’s perhaps no surprise that drivers could lose focus when this is being played through the speakers.

Coming in at no. 4 is MJ's "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'." The combination of high energy (92) and danceability (85) of Michael Jackson’s song results in a substantial distraction score of 77.11%. Its strong rhythm could make it more likely that drivers might want to move to the music.

"Pump It" by the Black Eyed Peas claims third place. The BPM of 154 is a fast tempo, and a danceability rating of 65 indicates that the song has a strong rhythm, possibly leading to physical movement and contributing to the overall distraction score of 77.80%.

Taking the second spot is Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind." With a BPM of 174, this song has an exceptionally high tempo, which may be distracting for some drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. The high energy level (96) may also contribute to distraction, but the relatively lower danceability rating (49) indicates that it might not prompt physical movement, giving it a distraction score of 78.37%.

“Dragostea Din Tei" by O-Zone takes the top spot as the most distracting driving song. This is primarily due to its high BPM (130) and danceability (81), which can make drivers more likely to tap their feet or move along with the music. Also, the exceptionally high energy rating of 97 could even make drivers anxious, which might not be ideal for a calm and focused driving experience. The combination of high BPM, energy and danceability contributes to its high distraction score of 78.76%.