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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

Alexander Kamenetskyi Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook at Five: From MVP to Award-Winning Global B2B Solution

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

George Miller

the-softswiss-sportsbook-at-five:-from-mvp-to-award-winning-global-b2b-solution

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook celebrates its fifth anniversary, marking a major milestone in its journey from MVP to a fully mature, internationally recognised B2B product. Over these five years, the team has achieved standout results, from launching a project in just 14 days to delivering a mobile-first experience that generates over 90% of GGR.

Since its debut in 2020, the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook has expanded its sports and esports catalogue, introduced premium cricket, launched a mobile app, added a customisable betting interface, unique bonuses, and various gamification tools for player engagement and retention. It has also introduced seamless integrations with the SOFTSWISS Game Aggregator and Jackpot Aggregator.

An important milestone was reached ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, when the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook team delivered 22 new projects across 11 casino platforms, including the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform, within a single month. A breakthrough record was also set when the team launched a project in just 14 days from contract signing to the first bet.

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is engineered for smooth, platform-agnostic integration, enabling fast rollouts on both proprietary and third-party platforms. Delivering a strong player experience and supporting business growth, the Sportsbook seamlessly integrates into any iGaming operation with flexible launch options to meet diverse needs. Recent updates further enhance its efficiency, including API 2.0 for more scalable integrations and a renewed CMS with deeper content control.

Alexander Kamenetskyi, Head of SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, comments: “Five years ago, we set out to build a modern Sportsbook – flexible, scalable, and ready for the future of betting. Today, we have a stable architecture, powerful engagement tools, a strong risk management layer, and a team that knows how to move fast without compromising quality. The product has matured, and we are ready to push forward with even greater ambition.”

Delivering 2,000+ betting markets across 200+ sports and esports, with all Sportradar official leagues included, the Sportsbook supports 100,000+ monthly live events and a mobile-first experience that generates over 90% of GGR. Clients also highlight its intuitive CMS, robust risk management, and 24/7 technical assistance, reinforcing the Sportsbook’s position as a reliable B2B solution.

Anton Eshtokin, CMO of Boomerang Partners, shares: “The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is an ideal choice for any iGaming operator looking to diversify its portfolio and strengthen its competitive position in the market. On behalf of our entire team, I’d like to congratulate the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook on reaching this remarkable five-year milestone. As a partner, you’ve consistently demonstrated innovation, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the industry’s evolution. We wish you continued growth, bold ideas, and the drive to keep setting new standards in the iGaming market. May the next five years bring even more success stories and breakthroughs that inspire the entire industry.”

The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook’s achievements have been acknowledged across the industry, earning accolades such as Best Online Sportsbook Provider at SiGMA South Asia Awards 2025, Innovative E-sports Product of the Year at SPiCE South Asia Eventus Awards 2024, Best Sports Betting Provider in the Baltics at BSG Awards 2023, and Rising Star in Sports Betting at SBC Awards Latinoamérica 2022.

In 2025, the sports betting solution entered a new phase, focusing on architectural upgrades to support faster feature delivery. The team plans to release a new API Tester in December and is preparing for the upcoming launch of virtual sports. The Sportsbook platform also covered urgent Brazilian and Bulgarian regulatory requirements. These strategic moves will allow the solution to maintain momentum and scale to meet the growing expectations of operators in diverse markets.

About SOFTSWISS

SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 36,700 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Software and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.

The post The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook at Five: From MVP to Award-Winning Global B2B Solution appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Betinovio

Odds88 integrates award-winning sports data feeds with Betinovio

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

George Miller

odds88-integrates-award-winning-sports-data-feeds-with-betinovio

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Aggregator’s customisable feeds extend sportsbook provider’s offering across 110+ different sports

Sports aggregation platform Odds88 has secured a partnership with sportsbook technology provider Betinovio, expanding the brand’s coverage with unrivalled odds data streams.

As part of the deal, Odds88 will provide its award-winning modular data services to take Betinovio’s offering to the next level. Its operator partners can now gain access to customisable feeds, extensive betting content from more than 110 different sports and 4,000 daily events, and proven BetRank risk management tools.

Odds88 has also delivered its new 50/50 betting product, which promises to attract both casual users and savvy bettors with its low barrier to entry and a new layer of interaction of sports fans.

The aggregator’s data-driven platform uses AI algorithms to analyse behavioural data and tailor odds, promotions and offers to each individual player.

The agreement underpins Odds88’s position as an unparalleled source for trusted and comprehensive odds data, empowering global operators to create their most optimised sportsbooks yet.

Mike Forslund, Head of Sales and Business Development at Odds88, said: “We’re excited to build something truly exceptional in partnership with Betinovio. By combining the provider’s top-class sports betting technology with our unbeaten selection of data, we are introducing a proposition that will reshape the betting experience.

“Betinovio’s partners can now truly raise their game, enabling players to write their own event narratives.”

Marinos Eliazed, CEO at Betinovio, said: “By integrating Odds88’s data feeds, we are future-proofing our technology for operators. Players expect an interface that flexes to their needs and Odds88’s feeds offer endless possibilities for customisation.

“We look forward to seeing what we can create together.”

The post Odds88 integrates award-winning sports data feeds with Betinovio appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Amy Brewis Head of Account Management at Realistic Games

Realistic Games unleashes Christmas chaos with new title Wreckmas

Published

1 hour ago

December 2, 2025

George Miller

realistic-games-unleashes-christmas-chaos-with-new-title-wreckmas

Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s the most magical time of the year, but don’t expect a peaceful Christmas with the release of Realistic Games’ latest blockbuster slot, Wreckmas.

The new 5×3, feature-packed slot brings toppled trees, tangled tinsel and chaotic carols to a family Christmas, along with the chance to hit a 5,000x max win.

Among the features is the Wild Train, which sees a toy train roll in and deliver random multipliers up to 5x on reels two-to-four.

There’s the Christmas Tree Collector, where the Christmas tree collects Wilds via electric shocks, triggering the Jackpot feature at any time.

Land three vinyl scatters across reels one-to-three to trigger Free Spins, where Wilds and the Christmas tree remain active with boosted wins. By collecting music symbols throughout the game to access the Scatter Collection, where only high-pay symbols land, players have the chance to gain two extra spins and a 2x multiplier.

And the Match 3 Jackpot Feature serves up 15 presents to unwrap, each packed with Mini, Minor, Major or Grand Prizes, along with the added chance to boost your winnings.

Despite its warm, claymation-style and festive charm, Wreckmas is anything but gentle. Its high volatility and 96.14% RTP ensures that every spin carries real energy and the chance of big wins.

Amy Brewis, Head of Account Management at Realistic Games, said: “Christmas content can sometimes feel predictable, so we wanted to create something that embraces the season but delivers a fresh, chaotic twist. Wreckmas is everything we love about a Realistic Games title, including inventive features, engaging gameplay and a sense of humour. We’re thrilled to bring something bold and different to operators during one of the busiest periods of the year.”

Wreckmas follows hot on the heels of Art Heist, a 1930s-inspired crime caper slot released by Realistic Games at the end of September. It has already earned fans for its suspenseful gameplay.

It’s been a busy end of the year for Realistic Games, which has secured a host of new operator partners over the past few weeks, including QuinnBet and Bally’s Interactive in the UK and 711 in the Netherlands.

The post Realistic Games unleashes Christmas chaos with new title Wreckmas appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.