Shill [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

Shill

A shill is a person hired by a casino to play at a table in order to create the appearance of active participation and attract more players.

A shill works for the casino to make the gaming area appear more enticing, especially when it’s not very busy. By pretending to be a regular player, the shill’s involvement encourages others to join the game, giving the impression that the game is popular or that the odds are favorable. Shills do not wager their own money and typically follow instructions from the casino to maintain the illusion of a genuine participant.

Shill Example

For example, a shill might be placed at a poker table during a slow period, playing with chips provided by the casino to make the table seem active and encourage passersby to sit down and join the game.