Now you might envision the rock ‘n’ roll legend plunking down fists full of C-notes on high-stakes poker, blackjack or craps, but no. As a gambler he’s cautious, conservative, knows his limitations and avoids being reckless. “I’ve always had a certain order, a certain plan,” Allman tellsAC Weekly in a phone conversation. “I’ll take $300 with me and if I lose that I go back to my room. The last time I won $2,200, and $2,700 the time before that. I’ll tell ya, I can play the hell out of roulette.”

There’s an amiable tone to his southern accent when he says all this. He laughs as he recounts watching little old ladies playing penny slots in the casinos. “How much can they win if they hit the jackpot playing penny slots? Maybe five hundred dollars?”

Somehow this does not sound like a person whose monumental contributions to the world of music once seemed at risk of being eclipsed by inauspicious appearances in the tabloids. “Gambling’s not really a vice that ever got me,” he says. “Alcohol got me. Cocaine got me. But they finally let me go.”

It’s been over 13 years since Allman — who visits The Concert Venue at Harrah’s on Saturday night, Jan. 9, with his solo band — was a substance abuser, and now over 40 years since he and his brother Duane co-founded the group that kicked off the so-called “Southern rock movement” in 1969, the Allman Brothers Band. Duane Allman died tragically in a motorcycle crash at age 24 in 1971, and last year the Allman Brothers Band dedicated a string of sold-out shows to him on a 40th anniversary tour that included appearances by music luminaries Levon Helm, Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton and others. Despite his short life, Duane Allman is considered one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time. To perhaps a slightly lesser degree, former Allman Brothers guitarist Dickey Betts (who penned the hits “Rambling Man” and “Blue Sky”) can also lay claim to that distinction.

While the Brothers have about a half dozen gigs lined up for 2010, Gregg Allman is pouring most of his energies into his solo band this year, which includes keyboardist Bruce Katz, drummer Steve Potts, bassist Jerry Jemmott, saxophonist Jay Collins, guitarist Scott Sharrard and percussionist Floyd Miles. Allman supplements his soulful voice by playing guitar and occasional Hammond B3 organ. Along with the title track from his 1987 gold-selling solo record I’m No Angel, the band will perform several of the hits Gregg Allman penned for the Brothers such as “Whipping Post,” “Sweet Melissa,” “Midnight Rider” and others.