Students from an elite Melbourne private school are persistently placing illegal bets at a nearby TAB office, according to reports.

Both Melbourne newspapers The Age and The Herald Sun allege students from Brighton Grammar School have been spotted in school uniform or dressed as “tradies” at the TAB near their campus.

Parents were informed of the issue in a letter from Brighton’s headmaster Ross Featherston on Wednesday.

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After Mr Featherston warned parents of the impending media coverage, The Age reported a small group of parents was considering an injunction to prevent their sons being implicated in the matter.

Brighton is an expensive beachside suburb in Melbourne. Photo: AAP

It is believed girls from another Brighton private school often join the boys in placing bets.

“You often see them there, at lunchtime or after school and I guarantee they’re not 18,” an anonymous local business owner told The Age.

“I know two of the boys and I know exactly how old they are. It’s a terrible look.”

The Herald Sun published images of the suspected minors inside the TAB, while a source told The Age the amount of money the boys were betting was staggering.

It is reported the boys often quickly run into the TAB and place bets on machines before employees ask them for identification, or they use false IDs.

The headmaster called on the TAB to do more.

“It would be useful and helpful if the Church Street TAB could contact the school directly if there are boys in uniform placing bets,” Mr Featherston said.

Mr Featherston said the elite school’s three psychologists would be available to any boys requiring help with gambling addiction.

He said Brighton Grammar students had been lectured by Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation in 2014, and that lecture would be repeated for future students.