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

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  • 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

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Level Up in Barcelona: N1 Partners Puzzle Promo Grand Final Recap

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The N1 Puzzle Promo journey reached its culmination in Barcelona, where N1 Partners hosted a grand final event that became one of the standout events of the iGB Affiliate week. Taking place after the first day of iGB Affiliate in Barcelona, the evening marked the official conclusion of a year-long campaign that ran throughout 2025 and consistently engaged partners across the industry.

Designed as a large-scale finale, the event brought together a carefully selected audience of industry leaders, top-performing affiliates and long-term partners. Interest in the final exceeded expectations well in advance, with more than 2,000 registrations submitted and over 600 guests attending the closed-format celebration. Limited access and a curated guest list helped shape an atmosphere of anticipation and made the night one of the most discussed gatherings of the conference week.

Where the Final Began: First Moments of the Night

From the moment guests arrived, the tone of the evening was clear. Paparazzi-style photographers welcomed attendees at the entrance, capturing arrival moments and setting a cinematic pace for what followed. Inside, flight-attendant-inspired stewards guided guests through the venue.

Multiple zones were designed to balance entertainment and conversation. A signature cocktail bar served drinks created specifically for the night, while a dedicated VIP area offered a comfortable setting for private discussions, networking and informal meetings that continued throughout the evening.

When the Stage Took Over the Night

The stage program played a central role in shaping the atmosphere of the night. Rather than relying on a single format, the evening unfolded through a sequence of performances that kept guests engaged from start to finish. Energetic dance acts set the pace early on, followed by moments of contrast, including classical compositions reimagined in a rock-driven style.

DJ sets carried the momentum between performances, while the appearance of the event’s headline guest became a natural high point of the program. Combined with lighting design and stage production, the performances created an experience that stayed with guests long after the evening came to a close.

As a final personal touch, guests were invited to visit the custom patch bar, where they could take home a souvenir marking their participation in the N1 Puzzle Promo grand final.

Celebrating the Leaders of N1 Puzzle Promo

At the core of the evening stood the award ceremony, recognising the partners who defined N1 Puzzle Promo throughout the year. N1 Partners highlighted those who consistently maintained a strong pace across the campaign and secured top positions on the leaderboard through long-term performance rather than short-term spikes.

As the final results were announced on stage, the emotions in the room spoke for themselves. The winners of N1 Puzzle Promo shared their reactions moments after the ceremony, reflecting on the journey, the competition and what the victory meant for their teams.

1st place – Cash Splash, winner of the main prize: a Robinson R22 Beta II helicopter

The winning team, Cash Splash, shared their impressions after the announcement of the results:

“The emotions are overwhelming, honestly at the highest level. The event itself was impressive, and winning the main prize among such strong peers feels truly incredible. For a long time, we were simply doing our job, and only closer to the end did we realise we could compete for first place and win the helicopter.

What mattered most for us was that this was not just a promo or a prize. Throughout the campaign, it was clear that N1 Partners focus on long-term relationships and transparent partnership. We understood what we were competing for, and that level of clarity was a strong motivation.”

2nd place – Advertise.net, awarded an Aston Martin Aramco AMR24 F1 Simulator

The second-place team, Advertise.net, shared their perspective on the promo and the competition:

“The first emotion was pure excitement. For us, even making it into the top three already felt like a win. We worked on this for a long time, and seeing our company’s name on stage was an incredibly emotional moment.

What mattered most in this promo was transparency and fairness. We could track our results almost in real time and clearly understand how we could influence the outcome. This was not a vote or a matter of luck, it was the result of real work.”

3rd place – Traffic Squad, winner of a Rolex Sky-Dweller watch

4th place – Seven Group
5th place – Alfaleads Network

Each announcement was met with strong engagement from the audience, reinforcing the competitive nature of the promo and the scale of its rewards. The ceremony underscored a key message of the campaign: consistency, strategy and commitment over time were central to success.

The Final Piece of a Year-Long Story

The N1 Puzzle Promo Grand Final was not positioned as a standalone celebration, but as the natural conclusion of a campaign that unfolded throughout the year. By combining immersive production, a strong narrative arc and tangible recognition of partner achievements, N1 Partners delivered a final that felt both earned and relevant to the industry.

Alexa Bond, Head of Affiliates at N1 Partners, shared her thoughts on the campaign finale:

“The N1 Puzzle Promo Grand Final in Barcelona became the culmination of the entire campaign and a reflection of what was achieved over the year. Bringing our partners together to celebrate their results highlighted the commitment, consistency and long-term effort behind this journey.

This finale was our way of showing that we are not just working side by side, but building long-term partnerships based on trust and shared goals. Seeing our partners celebrate their achievements, share emotions and connect with each other confirmed that we created something truly meaningful for the affiliate community.”

The grand final also attracted strong interest from industry media. Representatives of leading iGaming and affiliate outlets attended the event, capturing its atmosphere and engaging with partners throughout the evening. Their presence reinforced the broader industry relevance of the N1 Puzzle Promo finale and extended its visibility beyond the conference floor.

As the evening came to a close, the grand finale reflected what the promo was ultimately about: long-term collaboration and a shared moment of celebration with the iGaming community.

N1 Partners expressed appreciation to all guests who joined the N1 Puzzle Promo grand final party and helped turn the evening into one of the most memorable moments of the conference week.

Be number one with N1 Partners.

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BetConstruct AI’s Harmony ChoiceMe: Redefining Success in the Middle East

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BetConstruct AI proudly introduces Harmony ChoiceMe, a unique, high-level event aimed at nurturing strategic relationships and examining fresh opportunities within the changing environment of the Middle East.

Scheduled for 8 February 2026 in the lively center of Dubai, the event will unite the industry’s most prominent thinkers for an exclusive evening of cooperation and understanding. Hosted on the opulent Lotus Royale Cruise, the gathering provides an elegant and exclusive setting for significant discussions just 48 hours prior to the industry’s gathering for AIBC Eurasia.

Harmony ChoiceMe operates on the belief that achieving success in the area starts with making the right connections and optimal choices. With the industry seeking growth and innovation in the Middle East, this event offers an essential opportunity for reflection and premium networking, enabling partners and peers to synchronize their strategies in a sophisticated and motivating environment.

The evening aims to enable a smooth shift from innovative concepts to practical collaborations, making sure participants head into the forthcoming hectic summit with clear understanding and an enhanced network.

Interested parties are invited to reserve their place for an evening here.

The post BetConstruct AI’s Harmony ChoiceMe: Redefining Success in the Middle East appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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TCSJOHNHUXLEY Celebrates a Highly Successful Showcase at ICE Barcelona 2026

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TCSJOHNHUXLEY is celebrating the success of ICE Barcelona 2026, where the team showcased a range of revolutionary products and solutions designed to elevate the global gaming industry. Taking place at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the event marked a pivotal moment for the company as it presented its full portfolio to the global community.

The energy at Stand 3R46 was incredible throughout the show, with a busy stand reflecting the significant interest in latest developments. Visitors witnessed firsthand the quality and dedication that define TCSJOHNHUXLEY products, from handcrafted excellence to cutting-edge electronic systems.

World-Class Roulette Wheels: As the premier manufacturer of Roulette wheels, the showcase featured the perfect balance of handcrafted excellence and cutting-edge automation. Highlights included the Saturn Velocity, a groundbreaking automated wheel that redefines speed and efficiency for both land-based and online operators. For seamless integration, it was displayed with the Wheelmate console alongside the world-renowned manual Saturn Roulette Wheels.

Roulette Xtra Delivers Multiplier Thrills: Roulette Xtra was a major highlight on the floor. The game adds a thrilling dimension with random multipliers of up to 500 to 1, and this experience is also available for electronic gaming via the Qorex 2 terminals. This versatility allows operators to deliver high-impact engagement to players across the entire casino floor, whether they prefer a traditional table or a terminal-based experience.

Chipper Champ 3: The latest evolution in chip handling technology, the Chipper Champ 3 offered advanced features designed to enhance efficiency and security. It delivered unmatched speed and accuracy, reinforcing its position as the market leader in automated chip sorting.

Casino Smart Kiosk Solutions: Unveiled for the first time at ICE Barcelona, the company introduced the Casino Smart Kiosk Solutions. These advanced self-service units are engineered to streamline the cage environment using RFID and vision inspection technology. Visitors experienced the Chip Dispensing Kiosk, designed for fast and secure chip purchases, alongside the Chip Redemption Kiosk, which facilitates precise, automated chip-to-cash exchanges. This new addition to the portfolio represents a significant step forward in floor automation and operational efficiency.

T-Connect Casino Management System: Focusing on the future of Connected Gaming Tables, the company presented the latest updates to the T-Connect ecosystem. This sophisticated system integrates smart sensors and intelligent software to deliver comprehensive real-time data insights, offering a flexible and modular approach to game management.

The showcase also highlighted the company’s renowned manufacturing expertise through its world-class core product range. From the precision of the globally recognised Roulette Wheels to the superior craftsmanship of the Gaming Tables, visitors witnessed firsthand the quality and dedication that define TCSJOHNHUXLEY products. This comprehensive portfolio demonstrates the company’s unique ability to create an end-to-end solution for all live gaming requirements.

The post TCSJOHNHUXLEY Celebrates a Highly Successful Showcase at ICE Barcelona 2026 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

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