Four state gambling regulators attended a September conference at a posh Rome hotel that cost their agency about $27,000 and included charges by at least one of them for the pool bar, laundry and limousine service.

The state Gaming Control Board members and a staffer took the trip with approval of Gov. Ed Rendell's office after Rendell imposed a ban on state travel, officials acknowledged Wednesday.

The five attended the International Association of Gaming Regulators conference at the Rome Cavalieri, where rooms cost more than $400 a night.

Board member Sanford Rivers of Churchill said he paid for his trip in advance and became concerned about it after Rendell imposed the travel ban last fall.

"Being the governor's appointee, the last thing I wanted to do was embarrass the governor," Rivers said. He said he called Greg Fajt, Rendell's chief of staff, who approved it. Rivers said the costs might seem high because of the value of the U.S. dollar in Italy.