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Emotions test reveals: The online purchases making us 67% happier!
- 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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Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook, has today announced the launch of its latest Stake Originals title, Moles, a high-intensity arcade-style game designed to deliver fast decisions, escalating tension, and huge multiplier potential.
Stake has released Moles, a new addition to its gaming portfolio that adapts traditional carnival mechanics for a digital environment. The gameplay requires players to strike targets to accumulate multipliers, offering a choice between immediate cash-outs or continuing for higher potential rewards.
At its core, the game is built around a dynamic risk-reward system. Players choose how many moles appear on the board — from one to six — directly influencing both difficulty and potential payout. Fewer moles offer a higher risk and the chance of extreme multipliers, while more moles provide a steadier, lower-risk path.
The game operates on a rapid-fire sequence where each successful hit increments a player’s multiplier. Under the game’s mechanics, a single missed target results in the immediate conclusion of the round and the forfeiture of accumulated rewards.
Moles features a maximum win multiplier of 5,649,504.98x. This represents one of the highest potential payout ratios currently available within the Stake Originals portfolio.
Designed for speed, simplicity, and replayability, the game captures the essence of classic fairground entertainment while elevating it with modern mechanics, provably fair technology, and a smooth, responsive interface.
Stake’s Chief Marketing Officer, Akhil Sarin, said: “Moles is a perfect example of what Stake Originals is all about — taking a familiar concept and turning it into something fast, engaging, and highly rewarding for our players.We wanted to create a game that’s instantly recognisable but delivers that signature Stake intensity where every decision matters and every round builds that thrilling tension.With its massive win potential and simple yet strategic gameplay, we’re confident Moles will quickly become a fan favourite across our global community.”
The launch of Moles continues Stake’s momentum in expanding its Originals suite — a category that has become central to the platform’s identity, known for delivering innovative, in-house games that prioritise player control, transparency, and high engagement.
Built with a provably fair system and a 98% RTP, the game ensures both transparency and competitive returns, reinforcing Stake’s commitment to delivering premium gaming experiences.
Moles will be available globally on Stake from March 24, 2026, alongside a refreshed lineup of Stake Originals releases as the brand continues to push the boundaries of online casino entertainment.
About Stake
Stake is the world’s most popular online casino and sportsbook. Founded in 2017, Stake attracts over 80 million monthly visits, more than any other iGaming platform, and sees more than 100 billion bets a year. Stake is renowned for its innovation in crypto wagering as well as its growing expansion into regulated local-currency gaming markets in Italy, Denmark, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. It also boasts a roster of global sponsorships, including Canadian superstar Drake, X Games, Everton Football Club, and the UFC.
For more information and press enquiries, users can contact: [email protected]
Contact
Stake
The post Stake Announces Global Release of Multiplier-Based Game Moles appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook, has today announced the launch of its latest Stake Originals title, Moles, a high-intensity arcade-style game designed to deliver fast decisions, escalating tension, and huge multiplier potential.
Stake has released Moles, a new addition to its gaming portfolio that adapts traditional carnival mechanics for a digital environment. The gameplay requires players to strike targets to accumulate multipliers, offering a choice between immediate cash-outs or continuing for higher potential rewards.
At its core, the game is built around a dynamic risk-reward system. Players choose how many moles appear on the board — from one to six — directly influencing both difficulty and potential payout. Fewer moles offer a higher risk and the chance of extreme multipliers, while more moles provide a steadier, lower-risk path.
The game operates on a rapid-fire sequence where each successful hit increments a player’s multiplier. Under the game’s mechanics, a single missed target results in the immediate conclusion of the round and the forfeiture of accumulated rewards.
Moles features a maximum win multiplier of 5,649,504.98x. This represents one of the highest potential payout ratios currently available within the Stake Originals portfolio.
Designed for speed, simplicity, and replayability, the game captures the essence of classic fairground entertainment while elevating it with modern mechanics, provably fair technology, and a smooth, responsive interface.
Stake’s Chief Marketing Officer, Akhil Sarin, said: “Moles is a perfect example of what Stake Originals is all about — taking a familiar concept and turning it into something fast, engaging, and highly rewarding for our players.We wanted to create a game that’s instantly recognisable but delivers that signature Stake intensity where every decision matters and every round builds that thrilling tension.With its massive win potential and simple yet strategic gameplay, we’re confident Moles will quickly become a fan favourite across our global community.”
The launch of Moles continues Stake’s momentum in expanding its Originals suite — a category that has become central to the platform’s identity, known for delivering innovative, in-house games that prioritise player control, transparency, and high engagement.
Built with a provably fair system and a 98% RTP, the game ensures both transparency and competitive returns, reinforcing Stake’s commitment to delivering premium gaming experiences.
Moles will be available globally on Stake from March 24, 2026, alongside a refreshed lineup of Stake Originals releases as the brand continues to push the boundaries of online casino entertainment.
About Stake
Stake is the world’s most popular online casino and sportsbook. Founded in 2017, Stake attracts over 80 million monthly visits, more than any other iGaming platform, and sees more than 100 billion bets a year. Stake is renowned for its innovation in crypto wagering as well as its growing expansion into regulated local-currency gaming markets in Italy, Denmark, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. It also boasts a roster of global sponsorships, including Canadian superstar Drake, X Games, Everton Football Club, and the UFC.
For more information and press enquiries, users can contact: [email protected]
Contact
Stake
The post Stake Announces Global Release of Multiplier-Based Game Moles appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Stake, the world’s leading online casino and sportsbook, has today announced the launch of its latest Stake Originals title, Moles, a high-intensity arcade-style game designed to deliver fast decisions, escalating tension, and huge multiplier potential.
Stake has released Moles, a new addition to its gaming portfolio that adapts traditional carnival mechanics for a digital environment. The gameplay requires players to strike targets to accumulate multipliers, offering a choice between immediate cash-outs or continuing for higher potential rewards.
At its core, the game is built around a dynamic risk-reward system. Players choose how many moles appear on the board — from one to six — directly influencing both difficulty and potential payout. Fewer moles offer a higher risk and the chance of extreme multipliers, while more moles provide a steadier, lower-risk path.
The game operates on a rapid-fire sequence where each successful hit increments a player’s multiplier. Under the game’s mechanics, a single missed target results in the immediate conclusion of the round and the forfeiture of accumulated rewards.
Moles features a maximum win multiplier of 5,649,504.98x. This represents one of the highest potential payout ratios currently available within the Stake Originals portfolio.
Designed for speed, simplicity, and replayability, the game captures the essence of classic fairground entertainment while elevating it with modern mechanics, provably fair technology, and a smooth, responsive interface.
Stake’s Chief Marketing Officer, Akhil Sarin, said: “Moles is a perfect example of what Stake Originals is all about — taking a familiar concept and turning it into something fast, engaging, and highly rewarding for our players.We wanted to create a game that’s instantly recognisable but delivers that signature Stake intensity where every decision matters and every round builds that thrilling tension.With its massive win potential and simple yet strategic gameplay, we’re confident Moles will quickly become a fan favourite across our global community.”
The launch of Moles continues Stake’s momentum in expanding its Originals suite — a category that has become central to the platform’s identity, known for delivering innovative, in-house games that prioritise player control, transparency, and high engagement.
Built with a provably fair system and a 98% RTP, the game ensures both transparency and competitive returns, reinforcing Stake’s commitment to delivering premium gaming experiences.
Moles will be available globally on Stake from March 24, 2026, alongside a refreshed lineup of Stake Originals releases as the brand continues to push the boundaries of online casino entertainment.
About Stake
Stake is the world’s most popular online casino and sportsbook. Founded in 2017, Stake attracts over 80 million monthly visits, more than any other iGaming platform, and sees more than 100 billion bets a year. Stake is renowned for its innovation in crypto wagering as well as its growing expansion into regulated local-currency gaming markets in Italy, Denmark, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. It also boasts a roster of global sponsorships, including Canadian superstar Drake, X Games, Everton Football Club, and the UFC.
For more information and press enquiries, users can contact: [email protected]
Contact
Stake
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