Russia maybe taking steps to overturn, at least in part, its ban on gambling that saw casino gaming banished to just four gambling zones in remote parts of the country.

Moscow Moscow

Now it seems the State Duma of the Russian Federation are considering allowing Texas Hold'em poker in some form - most likely online gaming - as well as the possibility of relocating the designated gambling zones to more highly populated areas, according to gaming company Alsart.

These are believed to be St Petersburg, Sochi, Krasnodar and Moscow.

Discussions about future gambling policies are under way, with members of the assembly reportedly working on the creation of a new department within the tax authority specifically to oversee the gambling sector. Another organisation may also be established to regulate and license online poker.

In neighbouring Ukraine, meanwhile, the prohibition on gambling that came into force in the months following Russia's own blanket ban may also be partially overturned.

Ahead of this summer's UEFA European Championships, which is being jointly hosted by Ukraine and Poland, lawmakers are deliberating whether to allow gambling activities in casinos located in four and five-star hotels.