Significant industry first will see game launch from day one across 5 alternative stores in addition to Apple and Google.

Flexion, the games marketing company, announces a partnership with preeminent developer King to market new game Candy Crush Solitaire^© in alternative app stores.

Expected to be one of the exciting game announcements of the year, Candy Crush Solitaire^© will be available on the Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei App Gallery, Xiaomi GetApps and ONE store from the get-go thanks to Flexion’s expertise and technology. The game launches globally across platforms on 6 February and is already available for preregistration in all the stores.

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Flexion has had a partnership with King since June 2024 to market Candy Crush Saga^© on the alternative stores. With this latest deal, both companies are breaking new ground with concurrent launches, taking them to the leading edge of games marketing.

“This is the first time King will launch simultaneously across such a wide range of platforms,” says Jens Lauritzson, Flexion’s CEO. “King has recognised that mobile audiences come from a more diverse range of markets these days, and we are thrilled to be able to help them reach those markets. Flexion has brought to the partnership the tech, experience and expertise to ensure the ultimate in user choice.”

Commenting on the deal, Benjamin Pommeraud, General Manager of Strategic Initiatives at King, says: “We’re excited to partner with Flexion to make Candy Crush Solitaire available to more players. As our first expansion of the Candy universe into a new genre, this collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality experiences that are accessible to everyone, no matter where they choose to play.”

SOFTSWISS, a global provider of innovative iGaming solutions with over 15 years of experience, publishes the Sports Betting Events Calendar for 2025. This year, the free-to-download file contains 84 major sporting events, aiming to boost operators’ promotional strategies.

The sports betting industry continues to expand at an impressive pace. According to Statista, its global revenue in 2024 reached EUR 45.43 billion, reflecting a 6% increase from the previous year, while the ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) climbed from EUR 320 in 2023 to EUR 330 in 2024. This upward trajectory is mirrored by a surge in betting activity across platforms, with mobile betting growing by 210% and desktop betting increasing by 194%.

Several sports categories saw significant growth in betting volumes in 2024:

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• Football – 21%
• Tennis – 136%
• American Football – 650%
• Basketball – 115%
• Table Tennis – 640%

These figures underline the importance of leveraging major sporting events to drive player engagement and optimise revenue. In the list of must-promo activities, SOFTSWISS experts included 24 different sports because the diversity in offering leads to stability in sportsbook operation.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “By using a personalised approach, flexible bonuses, and process automation, operators can not only enhance player engagement but also significantly reduce operational costs. This strategy will be the key to success in the upcoming year and help differentiate operators in the competitive market.”

According to SOFTSWISS experts, operators should focus on several key strategies to enhance player engagement and streamline operations to ensure sportsbook success in 2025. Seasonal bonuses and personalised promotions tailored to major events can captivate players and boost activity. 

Alexander Kamenetskyi adds: “For example, offering free bets on users’ favourite sports or creating combo bonuses that cover multiple events, such as the Champions League and French Open finals, can drive sustained interest. Additionally, esports presents a growing opportunity, allowing operators to engage younger, tech-savvy audiences through live streams, real-time betting options, and dedicated campaigns.”

A mobile-first approach is essential, as over 90% of sportsbook revenue now comes from mobile users. Ensuring apps and platforms are optimised for seamless, on-the-go gameplay is crucial to retaining players. Automation also plays a vital role in improving efficiency and reducing operational costs. By automating audience segmentation, bonus distribution, and promotional campaigns, operators can save time and deliver a more tailored player experience.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team will be sharing more strategies and insights during the ICE Barcelona 2025 at Stand 2G42.

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About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 23,500 casino games, the Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook software and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS revolutionised the industry by introducing the world’s first Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.