noun
financier; lender; financial backer
Refers to a person or entity that provides funds, often in a business or investment context. Can be used for both legal and informal lending.
彼は新事業の貸し元を探している。
He is looking for a financial backer for his new business.
そのプロジェクトの貸し元は地元の銀行だ。
The lender for that project is a local bank.
noun
gambling boss; head of a gambling house
Specifically refers to the person who runs an illegal gambling operation, providing the bank and overseeing the games. Often associated with yakuza or underground gambling dens.
警察は賭博場の貸し元を逮捕した。
The police arrested the gambling boss of the illegal casino.
貸し元は胴元として賭け金を管理する。
The head of the gambling house manages the bets as the banker.
Compound of 貸し (kashi, 'lending') + 元 (moto, 'source, origin'). Literally 'lending source', referring to the person who provides the funds.