The "Porter" of a lower class gaming "hell" stood just outside the front door to act as a doorman, or guard the door keep out gamblers who had been banned from the house. He was "often an ex-soldier, to stand on duty outside, and be on good terms with the nightwatchmen and local soldiery."

He usually was assisted by an "Orderly Man" to serve as look-out and "warn the Porter if trouble with the law is afoot."

Other terms:
The Staff of a lower Class Gambling Hell
A Glossary of Victorian underworld Slang.