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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

Casino Technology

Spintec Shines at ICE Barcelona 2026 with Innovative Electronic Table Games and Jackpots

Published

3 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

spintec-shines-at-ice-barcelona-2026-with-innovative-electronic-table-games-and-jackpots

Spintec took center stage at this year’s ICE Barcelona, captivating visitors with a stunning array of electronic table games, interactive experiences, and high-impact jackpots under The Merkur Group’s motto: “Spin with Power. Shine in Color.”

As one of the largest exhibitors, Merkur consistently drew large crowds, showcasing their latest innovations with entertaining presentations and immersive gaming setups.

Charisma Eye: Multi-Game Entertainment for 12 Players

Spintec’s Charisma Eye setting stole the spotlight, designed for up to 12 players. This versatile setup combines a roulette wheel and a dice shaker, allowing players to enjoy roulette, SicBo, and Craps simultaneously or individually. Enhanced with varied payouts, multipliers, and two thrilling jackpots—Galactic Jackpot on roulette and Dragon Jackpot on SicBo—Charisma Eye delivers nonstop excitement for both casual players and high rollers.

Galactic Spin: Three Roulette Games in One

Another major highlight was Galactic Spin, Spintec’s flagship roulette game. This year, the latest version integrates three game modes: classic roulette, Hot Spot, and Galactic Spin. Players can easily switch between modes, all designed to offer highly immersive and engaging gameplay.

Enhanced User Interface for Multi-Game Play

To elevate the player experience further, Spintec introduced a new touchscreen interface that splits the display, allowing players to monitor up to four games simultaneously. When one game becomes particularly engaging, it can expand to full screen, giving players complete control over their gaming experience.

Bestsellers That Continue to Impress Globally

ICE attendees also explored Spintec’s best-selling table games:

Charisma Amphitheatre: Ideal for live tournaments, this setting offers a wide variety of games playable at the same time, enhanced with vibrant graphics tailored for LED walls.
Charisma Stand-Alone: Perfect for individual players, featuring game selector buttons for smooth transitions and fully independent operation.
Charisma Blackjack (5 Play Stations): Brings the thrill of live blackjack to multiple players with five innovative side bets, capable of multiplying winnings up to 320x.
Charisma Roulette (8 Players): Spintec’s proven global bestseller, featuring Galactic Spin, GLI-certified technology, high visibility of the roulette wheel, and a two-sided LED animated topper for added flair.

Spintec at ICE 2026: Innovation Meets Player Engagement

From multi-player roulette and blackjack to immersive interfaces and high-value jackpots, Spintec reinforced its position as a leader in electronic table games. ICE Barcelona 2026 offered visitors the chance to experience firsthand the combination of player comfort, dynamic gameplay, and innovative design that continues to set Spintec apart in the global gaming industry.

The post Spintec Shines at ICE Barcelona 2026 with Innovative Electronic Table Games and Jackpots appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

betting solutions

GoldenRace and Spinmatic Partner with Lynon in Global iGaming Distribution Deal

Published

3 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

goldenrace-and-spinmatic-partner-with-lynon-in-global-igaming-distribution-deal

GoldenRace and Spinmatic, both part of Softquo Holding, have entered into a global distribution partnership with Lynon, an all-in-one iGaming platform, to integrate their full portfolios of Virtual Sports and Slots into the Lynon ecosystem.

The strategic agreement significantly expands Softquo’s global reach, making GoldenRace’s industry-leading Virtual Sports and Spinmatic’s innovative slot games available to a broader international audience. Under the terms of the deal, Lynon will gain access to the entire game libraries of both providers, enabling operators and players worldwide to benefit from high-performance, market-ready betting and gaming solutions.

Strengthening Lynon’s iGaming ecosystem

By adding GoldenRace and Spinmatic content, Lynon enhances its offering with some of the most advanced Virtual Sports and Slots products currently available. The integration further positions Lynon as a comprehensive iGaming platform capable of delivering diverse, engaging content to regulated markets across multiple regions.

The partnership also reinforces the market leadership of GoldenRace and Spinmatic, whose combined expertise spans data-driven Virtual Sports, immersive slot mechanics, and scalable global distribution.

“Teaming up with Softquo allows us to deliver a double-edged competitive advantage to our partners,” said Sona Grigoryan, Partnership Manager at Lynon. “By combining GoldenRace’s Virtual Sports expertise with Spinmatic’s creative slot excellence, we are significantly enhancing the value of the Lynon ecosystem on a global scale.”

Expanding Softquo’s international footprint

Softquo CEO and Founder Martin Wachter highlighted the agreement as a reflection of growing global demand for the group’s products and technology.

“Our teams are working incredibly hard to ensure we keep growing worldwide and bringing our top-tier products to players in every corner of the globe,” Wachter said. “This agreement with Lynon shows that leading industry platforms recognise the value of our portfolio. We are delivering the best tools to help our partners engage players and drive sustainable growth, and we are pleased to see our international footprint continue to expand.”

Global demand for Virtual Sports and Slots

The partnership underscores the increasing worldwide appetite for Virtual Sports and premium slot content, as operators look to diversify offerings and improve player engagement. By aligning with Lynon, GoldenRace and Spinmatic further strengthen Softquo’s position as a global supplier of innovative, high-quality iGaming content.

The post GoldenRace and Spinmatic Partner with Lynon in Global iGaming Distribution Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

BMM Innovation Group

BMM Testlabs Secures Minas Gerais License, Expanding iGaming and Sports Betting Certification in Brazil

Published

3 hours ago

February 3, 2026

Wladimir P.

bmm-testlabs-secures-minas-gerais-license,-expanding-igaming-and-sports-betting-certification-in-brazil

BMM Testlabs, the world’s longest-established gaming test laboratory, has been officially granted approval and accreditation as a Testing and Certification Laboratory in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, significantly expanding its regulated footprint in one of Latin America’s fastest-growing gaming markets.

The authorization, issued under the state’s formal lottery regime Loteria do Estado de Minas Gerais, allows BMM Testlabs to test and certify fixed-odds iGaming and sports betting products, including online sports wagering and instant games offered through LotoMinas.bet. The approval marks another key milestone in BMM’s long-term expansion strategy across Brazil’s evolving regulatory landscape.

Strategic expansion in Brazil’s second-largest state

Minas Gerais is Brazil’s second-largest state, home to more than 21 million residents and a major economic center in the country’s southeast region. Entry into this jurisdiction positions BMM Testlabs to support regulators, operators, and suppliers as the state develops its regulated online gaming and sports betting ecosystem.

With the Minas Gerais license, BMM Testlabs is now fully authorized to test and certify regulated gaming products across five Brazilian jurisdictions, including:

Federal-level accreditation in Brazil
State-level accreditation in Minas Gerais
State-level accreditation in Paraná
State-level accreditation in Maranhão
State-level accreditation in Rio Grande do Norte

This expanding portfolio reinforces BMM’s role as a trusted compliance partner in Brazil’s rapidly formalizing gaming sector.

Supporting regulators and sustainable market growth

Marzia Turrini, President of iGaming & Cybersecurity at BMM Testlabs, said the approval underscores the company’s commitment to supporting Brazil’s regulators and licensed suppliers with independent, high-quality testing services. “As the Brazilian market continues to evolve, regulators and suppliers require testing partners with deep technical expertise, global experience, and strong local knowledge,” Turrini said. “We are proud to support Minas Gerais with independent testing and certification services that help protect players, strengthen regulatory confidence, and enable sustainable market growth.”

Global experience with deep local reach

Founded in 1981, BMM Testlabs is the longest-standing private independent gaming certification laboratory in the world. The company has spent more than four decades testing and certifying a full range of gaming products, including land-based gaming systems, online and iGaming platforms, sports betting, lottery solutions, and emerging digital wagering technologies.

BMM has been recognized for its regulatory leadership, winning the Vixio Global Regulatory Award for Testing Service or Solution Provider of the Year in both 2024 and 2025. The company authored the first independent gaming standards in 1992 and the first online gaming standards in 2001, helping shape modern compliance frameworks worldwide.

Innovation, cybersecurity, and global scale

In addition to traditional testing and certification services, BMM operates the BMM Innovation Group (BIG), which delivers advanced technology solutions focused on cybersecurity through BIG Cyber and professional training through RG24seven Virtual Training.

BMM Testlabs employs more than 800 professionals across 16 global locations and holds more than 700 licenses worldwide, enabling it to support regulators and gaming suppliers across mature and emerging markets. The company’s global headquarters are in Las Vegas, with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia, including a growing presence in Brazil.

With its new Minas Gerais accreditation, BMM Testlabs continues to solidify its position as a leading testing and certification authority for Brazil’s regulated iGaming and sports betting market.

The post BMM Testlabs Secures Minas Gerais License, Expanding iGaming and Sports Betting Certification in Brazil appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.