The way it's set up now you get additional chances for every year you're not drawn.
In 2012, a new "bonus point" system began awarding long-term entrants even more chances to win in the lottery. Instead of earning a single extra chance in the lottery for every year their name doesn't get drawn, entrants earn one chance during their first five years, two chances for years 6-10, three chances for years 11-15 and 10 chances per year for every year in excess of 15.
Still not a sure thing for those who have been applying for a long time, but your chances get better the longer you don't get drawn.