Last week, NewsNation published a report, citing an unnamed “Vegas insider,” which claimed pop star Bruno Mars had racked up a $50 million gambling debt with MGM — a claim the casino operator vigorously denied on Monday.

“He has no debt with MGM,” the casino said in a statement. “We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers. From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno’s brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe. MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect.”

As that statement makes clear, Mars plays a lot of shows at MGM venues around Las Vegas, something NewsNation’s insider chalked up to the fact that MGM’s casinos “basically own him.” NewsNation also reported that Mars makes $60 million a year after taxes from his Dolby Live residency at Park MGM.

But as the Las Vegas Review-Journal points out, “even if those numbers were accurate, Mars’ losses would be lower by at least $10 million than he is paid for his Dolby Live residency.”

The R-J went on to quote a person familiar with Mars’ Park MGM residency who said NewsNation’s report was “such B.S.”

Yet the newspaper noted that “rumors of his gaming activity have seeped out of the hotel,” and that Mars is known to gamble at the Aria and Bellagio, two MGM properties a short distance from the Park.

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. Pictured: Bruno Mars.