Pato was banned several times during its history because of the violence—not only to the duck; many gauchos were trampled underfoot, and many more died in knife fights started in the heat of the game.

In 1796, a Catholic priest insisted that pato players who died in such a way should be denied Christian burial.

During the 1930s, pato was regulated through the efforts of ranch owner Alberto del Castillo Posse, who drafted a set of rules inspired by modern polo.

Pato is played competitively and also by amateurs, mostly in weekend fairs which usually include doma (Argentine rodeo).

[4] Defenders of pato's official status point out that it is a completely indigenous game, while football was imported.