I strongly believe that portias father wanted to ensure that after his death his daughter and his wealth would be in the hands of a wise suitor instead of someone who was just after his money. The suitors who gambled for portia was not allowed to marry another if they choose the wrong casket, i believe that this was a detorient to who was just after the wealth. Portias father perhaps wanted her to get married shortly so he made marriage an ultimatum for his wealth