Groom Porter

The Groom Porter was an office at the royal court of the monarch of Britain, who had "the Inspection of the King's Lodgings, and takes care that they are provided with Tables, Chairs, Firing, &c. As also to provide Cards, Dice, &c. when there is playing at Court: To decide Disputes which arise in Gaming".

"[1] The title may originally have referred to the keeper of the king's furnishings in his bedchamber.

[3] A somewhat extended account of the Office is given in King James I's grant of it to Clement Cotterell in 1620.

[4] In 1702 the remuneration was raised to £680 per year, which it remained until it was abolished with other sinecure offices at court in 1782.

[1] Eventually, the term became used for the owner, or operator of a gaming hall.