ednesday Russian President Vladmir Putin signed off on a law allowing the establishment of gambling zones in Sochi and Crimea.

The Russian State Duma had already approved the law to allow gambling zones in the host city of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games and the territory annexed from Ukraine earlier this year.

It is hoped the establishment of gambling zones will boost struggling economies in both regions, but Crimea in particular.

It is likely the Black Sea resort city of Yalta will house Crimea’s new gambling zone, while Russian media reports that casinos in Sochi will be constructed near to the Olympic Village.

Gambling in Russia was outlawed in 2009 with the exception of four regions designated as gambling zones.

However, along with establishing zones in Crimea and Sochi, the Russian government is considering re-legalising online poker following promising revenue estimates.