Process for reducing the benzene content of gasoline

A process is disclosed for alkylating benzene contained in a benzene-containing refinery gasoline stream also comprising at least 0.1 wt % of at least one C6 to C8 olefin. In the processs, the refinery gasoline stream is contacted under alkylation conditions with an alkylating agent selected from one or more C2 to C5 olefins in at least a first alkylation reaction zone and a second alkylation reaction zone connected in series to produce an alkylated effluent, which has reduced benzene content as compared with said refinery gasoline stream. All of the refinery gasoline stream is introduced into the first alkylation reaction stage, whereas an aliquot of the alkylated effluent is recycled and introduced to the second, but not the first, alkylation reaction zone.