In this paper, adsorptive desulfurization of the gasoline produced from low-pressure hydrocracking of the atmospheric residue was studied. Gasoline obtained from such a process has a high sulfur content and is not suitable for use as a motor fuel without further desulfurization. A nickel-modified natural bentonite catalyst was developed and used in the process. The reaction temperature and flow rate were adjusted to maximize the sulfur removal efficiency while fixing the pressure at 2.5 MPa. Optimal sulfur removal was obtained at 270 degrees C and 1.0 h(-1) feed rate, reducing the gasoline sulfur level from 450 to 32 ppm without affecting the hydrocarbon content and, hence, preserving the octane number. Sulfur adsorbs on nickel nanoparticles by forming nickel sulfide, and the catalyst can be regenerated by subsequent oxidation with air, followed by reduction with hydrogen gas.