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Emotions test reveals: The online purchases making us 67% happier!

Published

5 years ago

March 24, 2021

George Miller

Reading Time: 4 minutes

On average, online purchases are found to raise our positive feelings by 56%
Participants reported the biggest increase in happiness when purchasing houseplants – positive emotions soared by 67%
Gaming console purchases saw the second highest increase in positive feelings (+66%)
Trainers and fiction books are also among the purchases raising positive emotions most
Holidays abroad came in last; participants noted high levels of excitement but also reported an increase in concern due to its uncertainty

Thanks to ‘doom shopping’, it was revealed that the UK spends three times more when online shopping compared to the global average, costing the average person a whooping £1,382 per year! Clearly these purchases keep us coming back for more, but how do we enjoy splashing our cash the most?
Interested in online shopping, money.co.uk conducted an emotions test among 2,560 participants to discover which online purchases bring us the most joy!

Participants were asked to complete a variation* of the BMIS test (Brief Mood Intensity Scale) and record the intensity of 10 different emotions after making an online purchase. The intensity of each emotion was allocated a score based on its positivity, with a maximum score of 500 points per item – the higher the score, the better. Participants were also asked to complete the same test before making any purchases to uncover the percentage increase in positive emotions when shopping.

Which online purchases make us happiest?

Money.co.uk can reveal that a houseplant purchase increases our intensity of positive emotions more than any other transaction!
Collecting 478 points out of a potential 500, moods improved by 67% after making a plant purchase. Plants are proven to invoke feelings of vitality by improving the state of mind and lifting spirits – no wonder it scores highly!
With the PS5 still proving hard to get, purchasing a gaming console is the second online transaction that makes us happiest.

As many gamers are left on the edge of their seats waiting to snatch the latest console, it accumulated 475 points out of 500, and purchasing a console was found to raise positive feelings by 66% on average.
In third position are trainer purchases. With the demand for sneakers like Jordan 1s only increasing, those who purchased new trainers reported a 64% increase in happiness, and purchases racked up 472 points.
With bookworms reported to be happier than those who don’t read, the transaction that makes us fourth happiest is a fiction book, improving positive emotions by 64% and collecting 470 points.
Due to the huge surge in personal fitness and wellbeing during lockdown, home gym equipment purchases are found to make us fifth happiest! This transaction led to a 63% increase in positive emotions and scored a healthy 468 points.

To complete the top 10 purchases that increase our intensity of positive emotions:
6. Video game: 466 points, +62%
7. Eyeshadow palette: 465 points, +62%
8. Scented candle: 463 points, +61%
9. Exercise clothing: 461 points, +61%
10. Fashion jewellery: 459, +60%

Coming in last is a holiday abroad with 393 points out of 500 (+37%). Those who plan on jet-setting this year reported high levels of excitement and happiness but were pushed down the table as feelings of worry and nerves due to its current uncertainty.
Interested in the reasons behind our vast improvement in positive feelings, money.co.uk spoke exclusively to Lee Chambers, psychologist and wellbeing consultant, to uncover why shopping makes us happy.
“Online shopping has the ability to make us happy through several different mechanisms. Firstly, even in a world of plenty, we are still evolutionarily designed to consider scarcity. Because of this, acquiring new items, especially when discounted or limited, tends to make us happy, the feeling we have satisfied a need and potentially averted a future threat.

Shopping is also an exercise in control. We select from millions of items precisely what we want, and especially in the uncertain times we live in, we know we will get exactly what we have purchased, and it will be delivered straight to us. This control of selection and guarantee of receipt is powerful, as it becomes a defined event. We also build a level of expectation and anticipation from the moment we press the purchase button, as we believe we now have ownership over the item but have a delay until it is with us physically.

From a cultural perspective, we have been conditioned to see shopping as a reward, either an investment in ourselves or for the satisfaction of others. Shopping is likely to activate the nucleus accumbens in our brain, releasing dopamine and motivating us to repeat the behaviour. Buying printed media taps into our desire to better ourselves, gain knowledge, understand the world around us and provide stories and entertainment that can take us on a journey. And let’s not forget how lovely they look on your bookshelf on a video call, as books have become a decorative symbol over the past year.

And why do we keep buying? Our brain is adaptive, and shopping can relieve stress, provide entertainment when bored and give us a hit of dopamine. The rewarding feeling will keep us finding new things to purchase, especially since our excitement and anticipation fade once we’ve received the item.”

Catherine Hilley, mobiles expert at money.co.uk, said: “Our research reveals how small purchases can increase customers’ emotions in a positive way, something we all need after the past 12 months. With an average 63% increase in positive emotions noted across all top 10 purchases, it seems that shopping online for items such as houseplants, trainers and candles are sparking a lot more joy at the moment, than booking a holiday, which comes with a lot of added uncertainty.”

For more information, please see the blog post for the full rankings and a breakdown by sex, and age: https://www.money.co.uk/mobiles/online-shopping-joy

18Peaches CEO

TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan

Published

18 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

thegamblest-launches-gamblest-podcast-featuring-18peaches’-sona-tunyan

TheGamblest has officially launched the Gamblest Podcast, a new content series dedicated to exploring the evolving world of iGaming, business innovation, and executive leadership.

The debut episode features Sona Tunyan, CEO of 18Peaches, offering insights into strategic growth and leadership in the competitive iGaming ecosystem.

Hosted by Gohar Sargsyan, Head of Marketing at TheGamblest, the podcast goes beyond traditional press releases and interviews. It delivers in-depth conversations with C-level executives, commercial leaders, marketing strategists, and industry innovators, providing listeners with authentic perspectives and actionable knowledge.

Focus on Leadership, Strategy, and Innovation

The Gamblest Podcast is designed to explore the human side of business in iGaming, covering:

Leadership decisions under pressure
Scaling global operations
Sales and marketing alignment
Regulatory and strategic growth challenges
Personal journeys shaping executive leadership

Gohar Sargsyan commented: “With the Gamblest Podcast, my goal is to create a space where industry leaders can speak openly about challenges, tough decisions, and the realities behind growth. Honest conversations are what truly drive sustainable progress.”

Debut Episode Highlights

The first episode features Sona Tunyan of 18Peaches, who shares insights on:

Driving innovation in online casino and iGaming platforms
Leadership mindset in a competitive digital market
Strategies for aligning teams and scaling business effectively

Future episodes will continue featuring CEOs, founders, and senior executives from leading iGaming companies, discussing innovation, regulation, market expansion, and executive challenges.

Subscribe and Join the Conversation

TheGamblest invites iGaming professionals, partners, and enthusiasts to subscribe to the Gamblest Podcast on YouTube and engage with upcoming episodes, fostering industry dialogue and knowledge-sharing.

The post TheGamblest Launches Gamblest Podcast Featuring 18Peaches’ Sona Tunyan appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Bell Link Jackpot

EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026

Published

18 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

egt-showcases-supreme-series-at-irish-gaming-show-2026

Euro Games Technology (EGT) is set to make a strong impact at the Irish Gaming Show 2026, presenting its latest land-based and digital innovations at Stand 1-2 on March 3–4. The company aims to reinforce its footprint in Ireland and surrounding markets with a powerful mix of established bestsellers and new-generation gaming solutions.

Supreme Series Makes Irish Debut

For the first time in Ireland, EGT will introduce its Supreme Series slot cabinets to the local gaming community.

Featured models include:

S 32 32 UP
S 32 32 ST

Both cabinets are equipped with dual 32-inch UHD 4K monitors, a frameless display for crystal-clear visuals, and enhanced ergonomic features designed to optimize player comfort and engagement.

Joining them is the latest addition:

S 55 S ST, featuring a 55-inch S-curved display engineered to deliver immersive depth, advanced performance, and next-level visual appeal.

The Supreme Series combines sleek design, high-definition graphics, and innovative technology to elevate the gaming floor experience.

Popular Multigames and Top Jackpots

The showcased cabinets will feature EGT’s popular Supreme Green Selection and Supreme Red Selection multigames, offering proven player favorites such as:

Shining Crown
Burning Hot
Amazons’ Battle
Rise of Ra

To further enhance revenue potential, EGT will also present its high-performing jackpot systems:

Bell Link
Premium Link

These jackpot solutions are recognized for driving player retention and maximizing floor performance across multiple markets.

EGT Digital and X-Nave Platform

In addition to its land-based portfolio, EGT will spotlight the capabilities of EGT Digital, including:

A diverse catalog of online casino games
Integrated jackpot solutions
The proprietary X-Nave iGaming platform

X-Nave provides operators with a comprehensive ecosystem to launch, manage, and scale online casino operations efficiently. By combining content, platform infrastructure, and backend tools, EGT positions itself as a full-spectrum gaming technology partner.

Strengthening Presence in Ireland and Beyond

According to Stefan Dimov, Director for EGT Ireland, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Malta, the Irish Gaming Show remains a key event for relationship building and regional expansion. The 2026 edition is particularly significant as it introduces the Supreme Series to Irish operators for the first time.

EGT’s participation reflects:

Ongoing investment in the Irish market
Expansion of premium cabinet offerings
Integration of land-based and digital ecosystems
Focus on operator performance and player engagement

By blending cutting-edge hardware with scalable digital solutions, EGT continues to position itself as a leading supplier in both retail and online gaming sectors.

Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in gaming industry news and exhibition coverage is Focus gaming News.

Similar coverage example:

https://focusgn.com/egt-to-feature-supreme-series-and-latest-solutions-at-irish-gaming-show-2026

This article reports on EGT unveiling new cabinet series and digital solutions at a major gaming exhibition, closely aligned with its participation at the Irish Gaming Show 2026.

The post EGT Showcases Supreme Series at Irish Gaming Show 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

high stakes online poker

The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday

Published

19 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Wladimir P.

the-wait-is-almost-over.-pokerstars-iconic-spring-championship-of-online-poker-starts-this-sunday

PokerStars SCOOP 2026 Launches with $45 Million Guaranteed

PokerStars is set to launch the 2026 edition of its iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) this Sunday, marking the first major online poker festival of the year.

Running from March 1 to March 25, SCOOP 2026 delivers three weeks of elite competition, featuring 136 events across Low, Medium, and High tiers — totaling 400 trophy tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $5.50 to $15,000. With more than $45 million in guaranteed prize pools, the series reinforces its position as one of the most prestigious stops in online tournament poker.

Sunday Million Headlines Opening Weekend

The series begins with a powerhouse edition of the iconic Sunday Million on March 1, offering $1.6 million in total guarantees across three buy-in tiers:

$215 Medium Sunday Million – $1 million guaranteed
Low-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed
High-tier event – $300,000 guaranteed

This opening weekend sets the tone for a schedule designed to accommodate both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.

400 Tournaments Across All Major Formats

SCOOP 2026 includes a wide spectrum of poker variants and formats:

No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE)
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)
8-Game Mix
Mystery Bounties
Turbo and Deep Stack events

The flagship Main Events represent the series’ pinnacle:

$5.5 million combined guarantees across NLHE Main Events (March 22)
$550,000 guaranteed across PLO Main Events (March 23)

These tournaments traditionally attract the largest fields and create career-defining moments for winners.

PokerStars Ambassadors in the Spotlight

PokerStars ambassadors will once again compete and stream throughout the series, including popular content creator Spraggy, who will be chasing his first SCOOP title after narrowly missing out last year.

Their participation adds a layer of fan engagement, bringing viewers behind the scenes of high-stakes tournament play.

Multiple Qualification Routes Starting at $0.55

Accessibility remains a core pillar of SCOOP. Players can secure seats through:

Satellites starting at just $0.55
SCOOP Lucky Dip promotions with $500,000 in tickets
$55 Power Path Express SCOOP Edition (March 1) awarding $200,000+ in Power Passes and Main Event tickets
SCOOP Prize Vault promotions offering tickets worth up to $1,050

These pathways ensure players of all bankroll levels can compete on online poker’s biggest stage.

17 Years of Online Poker Legacy

Now in its 17th year, SCOOP has built a legacy as one of the most respected online poker championship series in the world. It consistently attracts:

Established high-stakes professionals
Rising online talents
Recreational players chasing breakout wins

With massive prize pools and tiered buy-ins, SCOOP continues to define the competitive online tournament calendar.

Website Covering Similar Content

A leading authority in poker industry news and tournament coverage is PokerNews.

https://www.pokernews.com/news

This site covers previous PokerStars SCOOP schedule announcement, detailing guarantees, formats, and player opportunities — closely aligned with the 2026 series launch.

The post The Wait is Almost Over. PokerStars Iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker Starts This Sunday appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.