It's easy to see why SportsLine.com (NASDAQ:SPLN) was lured into the online gambling business. Between the fat affiliate commissions and the relentless radio ads on sport stations for offshore wagering websites, there is clearly money to be made in gaming if you're in cahoots with the house.

But it's also easy to understand why last night Sportsline announced that it was selling its gambling analysis and consulting business. For a company trying to court content partnerships as it has with the likes of the NFL, NCAA, and PGA, dabbling in online gambling is a lot like taking dirty magazines to a family reunion.

While you might think that the NFL wouldn't mind, given the fact that most popular sports-related portals like Sportsline, Yahoo! (NASDAQ:YHOO), and Disney's (NYSE:DIS) ESPN offer fantasy football leagues, actual betting is still taboo.

One would think that SportsLine might get along just fine without its bookie business. Last month, the company announced that fantasy football subscription revenue was up by a healthy 36% this season and popular Internet content providers have been some of the better market performers this year. SportsLine has also made a nifty move to roll out of the pocket when it modified its deal with Time Warner's (NYSE:TWX) America Online to free up some money while teaming up with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) to sell sporting goods online.

Think the stock has followed the sector and the prospects higher? Don't bet on it. It's been halftime for SportsLine as it's seen its share price halved from its summer highs. Between restatements, lower financial guidance, and a lack of the appropriate protective headgear that we like to call "profitability," SportsLine has been left warming the bench. For investors, that isn't a very cool place to be.

Watching any football this year? Surprised to see both of last season's Super Bowl teams with losing records? What's the draw of fantasy football anyway? All this and more -- in the 77's Foolish House of Pigskin discussion board. Only on Fool.com.