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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

Ady Totah

LuckyStreak Announces Strategic Partnership with Aviator Studio

Published

57 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

luckystreak-announces-strategic-partnership-with-aviator-studio

LuckyStreak has announced a major addition to its iGaming content aggregation offering, with a new strategic partnership with crash game provider Aviator Studio.

And for a limited time, LuckyStreak has a special promotional offer for operators that add Aviator Studio’s game to their lobbies for the first time.

Aviator appeals to casual fun-seekers and high-risk thrill-seekers alike. With a new round every 40 seconds, auto-bet and auto-cashout features, it’s very simple and highly exciting to play.

The game creator and license-owner, Aviator Studio, is a provider focused on delivering engaging, innovative gaming experiences. Their journey began with Aviator, the crash game, developed and operated under a fully licensed trademark to ensure players enjoy a genuine and protected experience. Built around a vibrant, community-driven model, Aviator sets the standard for high-adrenaline gameplay.

Customers of LuckyConnect, the name for LuckyStreak’s content aggregation API solution, can now access the Aviator crash game and add it to their casino website without any additional tech work. And as new games are regularly added, all content is auto-synced with customer games management systems.

The partnership underpins LuckyConnect’s reputation as an established, professional and powerful iGaming content aggregator for online casino operators and platforms in regulated, pre-regulated and emerging markets. It has a portfolio of over 6000 games from leading providers, serving all iGaming genres, a proven and secure API integration, and an extensive network of casino operator customers hungry for world class entertaining content. Making it a highly compelling choice of content aggregation partner.

Ady Totah, CEO and Co-founder of LuckyStreak, said: “We’re thrilled to offer the exclusive Aviator crash title on our LuckyConnect content aggregation solution. It will significantly enhance the commercial opportunities for our casino operator partners. Our new partnership with Aviator Studio underscores our commitment to delivering engaging and high-performing content, and we’re genuinely excited about the growth and player appeal this collaboration will unlock for all our customers.”

Giorgi Pruidze, CEO of Aviator Studio, said: “Our network of partners is expanding rapidly, with new collaborations added every week. Integration with LuckyStreak, one of our key strategic partners, marks a significant step forward, extending our reach across key markets. And we’re just getting started. With a bold vision for the future, we’re actively developing new game titles designed to push the limits of gaming and deliver next-generation experiences to players around the world.”

The post LuckyStreak Announces Strategic Partnership with Aviator Studio appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Compliance Updates

EvenBet Gaming obtains Danish B2B supplier licence

Published

2 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

evenbet-gaming-obtains-danish-b2b-supplier-licence

EvenBet Gaming, a leading developer of online poker and casino software, has secured a five-year B2B supplier licence from the Danish Gambling Authority (Spillemyndigheden), further strengthening its position across Europe’s most established jurisdictions.

The strategic move into the Danish market aligns with EvenBet’s mission to provide its global client base with seamless access to high-potential regulated jurisdictions. By securing this licence, the company enhances its ability to support both new and existing operators in diversifying their market reach through scalable, fully compliant gaming solutions.

The licence covers a comprehensive portfolio of products, including EvenBet’s industry-leading poker software, turnkey online casino platform, and extensive content catalogue comprising roulette, baccarat, blackjack, punto banco, bingo and slots.

The approval follows a rigorous assessment process covering RNG certification, platform security, and business procedures, reinforcing EvenBet’s ongoing commitment to compliance, integrity and player protection.

With the Danish iGaming market generating approximately DKK 11 billion (€1.47 billion) in gross gaming revenue during 2024, the licence represents a significant commercial opportunity for operators seeking long-term growth within a stable and highly profitable market.

By partnering with EvenBet, operators benefit from a streamlined route to regulated markets and gain access to the company’s world-class poker infrastructure and comprehensive casino suite. This enables them to diversify their offerings and engage high-value player segments within a secure and fully compliant framework.

Dmitry Starostenkov, CEO at EvenBet Gaming, said: “Securing our Danish B2B licence is another important milestone in EvenBet’s long-term strategy. Denmark has established itself as one of the most mature and well-regulated gaming markets in Europe, making it an extremely attractive jurisdiction for both suppliers and operators.

“This approval not only reflects the strength and reliability of our technology, but also allows us to support our existing and future partners with fully compliant access to a highly valuable market.”

The post EvenBet Gaming obtains Danish B2B supplier licence appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Alex Pratt

Edge Marketing Institute launches G.A.M.E marketing leadership programme for B2B gaming

Published

2 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Wladimir P.

edge-marketing-institute-launches-gam.e-marketing-leadership-programme-for-b2b-gaming

Online, on-demand course targets CMOs and senior marketers, with WorldGaming signed as exclusive media partner.

Edge Marketing Institute has launched in the gaming sector with its flagship programme, G.A.M.E (Gaming Advancement in Marketing Excellence), positioned by the company as a dedicated marketing leadership course for B2B gaming.

The company said the programme is designed to help senior marketers develop commercial leadership skills as businesses push marketing teams to contribute more directly to revenue and growth.

Founded by Paul Rees and Gerhard Sagat, Edge Marketing Institute said G.A.M.E consists of 10 senior-level modules covering strategic marketing leadership, positioning, product marketing, sales alignment, go-to-market execution, marketing measurement, brand strategy, and organisational influence.

Paul Rees, Co-Founder of Edge Marketing Institute, said: “Gaming has talented marketers throughout the industry, but too many have been forced to learn senior leadership on the job without structured development or exposure to broader marketing best practice.

“This isn’t a talent problem; it’s a structural one.

“We created Edge Marketing Institute and G.A.M.E to help marketing leaders operate with greater commercial clarity, confidence and influence, so marketing becomes a genuine driver of growth rather than simply a delivery function.”

The programme has launched with the support of WorldGaming as its exclusive media partner. Alex Pratt, Managing Director at WorldGaming, said: “As gaming continues to evolve, the role of marketing is becoming increasingly commercial and strategically important.

“Helping marketing leaders better align marketing with business growth, commercial objectives and long-term industry development is positive for the wider gaming ecosystem, which is why we’re pleased to support the launch of Edge Marketing Institute and G.A.M.E.”

The post Edge Marketing Institute launches G.A.M.E marketing leadership programme for B2B gaming appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.